The Arogya Lakshmi Scheme is a welfare scheme launched by the state govt of Telangana, especially for the women who are either pregnant or are in the lactating period for newborn babies. The primary aim of the scheme is to provide nutrient-rich food to pregnant and lactating women from economically weaker sections so that they can stay healthy and take good care of their newborn babies, as during the initial years, a baby’s health is connected to the mother’s health.
When it comes to the birth of new life, one of the most important phases of a woman’s life is pregnancy and, later, the post-natal period. During these critical periods, a woman needs both physical and psychological safety and care; however, in reality, innumerable women, especially those who come from low-income groups, do not have the privilege of either physical care or psychological care. Therefore, the state govt authorities launched this scheme to improve maternal health and childcare.
Read the article to learn more about the state govt scheme for pregnant women, ranging from its meaning and benefits to eligibility criteria and the application process, including answers to questions, like ‘How to check the Arogya Lakshmi scheme status?’.
Overview
The table below summarises some key details about the state govt scheme that one should know.
| Name of the scheme | Arogya Lakshmi Yojana |
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| Launched by | State govt of Telangana |
| Arogya lakshmi scheme launch date | January 1st, 2015 |
| Objective | The main aim of the state govt scheme is to provide nutrient-rich food and meals to pregnant women, lactating women, and their newborn babies till they attain the age of 6 years. |
| Target group | Pregnant and lactating women and their children |
| Is there any Arogya Lakshmi scheme apply online process? | No, the application process can be done through offline means only |
Read More: What Is PM Matritva Vandana Yojana (PMVY)?
What Is The Arogya Lakshmi Scheme?
The state govt of Telangana launched a scheme called the Arogya Lakshmi Scheme in the year 2015, which is implemented through the Anganwadi centres under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). The primary aim of the state government scheme is to provide nutrient-rich food and meals to pregnant women, lactating women, and their newborn babies till they are 6 years old.
Along with nutritious meals, the govt scheme also offers a range of benefits, like regular health checkups, organising counselling sessions to educate women about maternal care. This govt scheme is not merely a yojana but a measure taken toward improving maternal health and reducing child mortality as much as possible.
Objectives Of The Arogya Lakshmi Scheme
There are several objectives of the state govt scheme for pregnant women that make it useful and unique, some of which are described below in brief points:
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The primary objective of the state govt scheme is to provide nutrient-rich food to pregnant women, lactating women, and newborn babies and children so that health issues that arise due to malnutrition, like anemia, weak immune system, etc. can be avoided as no one should suffer from it in today’s century.
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The scheme also focuses significantly on improving maternal health so that pregnancy-related complications can be reduced and a majority of pregnant women can have normal deliveries. It is also crucial to maintain quality maternal health to avoid congenital diseases, premature deliveries, and reduce neonatal and maternal mortality rates.
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The govt scheme for women also recognises the fact that, along with new mothers, young children also need support and help so that they can grow up to be healthy adults. It is extremely important for children between the ages of 6 months and 6 years to eat healthy for their optimal body and brain development.
Benefits Of The Arogya Lakshmi Scheme
The Sarkari Yojana comes along with a range of benefits for its beneficiaries. Some of the key benefits are mentioned below for a better understanding of the scheme:
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One of the major benefits of the state government scheme is that it provides nutrition-rich food to its beneficiaries who are currently in their most significant and sensitive phases of life. The meal provided under the scheme consists of Arogya Lakshmi milk of around 200 ml which is given to women for 25 days in a month along with one egg. On the other hand, for children between the ages of 7 months to 3 years, 16 eggs are provided in a month, along with 2.5 kgs of food packets, and for children between the ages of 3 to 6 years, rice, dal, vegetables, snacks, and eggs are provided.
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Another benefit of the scheme is that it organises several counselling sessions and programs to educate women about maternal and neonatal care so that they can take care of themselves and their newborn babies in the most holistic way possible. Proper initial care helps the children’s bodies develop a safeguarding and protective mechanism against diseases.
Also Read: A Comprehensive Guide To India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
What Is The Eligibility Criteria For Applying For The Arogya Lakshmi Scheme?
Individuals interested in applying for this state govt scheme first need to ensure that they fulfil the eligibility criteria for the same or not. The eligibility criteria are as follows:
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Applicants should be female, either pregnant or lactating.
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Applicants should be permanent residents of the state of Telangana.
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Applicants should come from the economically weaker sections of society.
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Please note that this state govt scheme also covers children who are between the ages of 6 months to 6 years.
How To Apply For The Arogya Lakshmi Scheme?
Individuals can apply for this state govt scheme by following an offline procedure. Please note that there is no Arogya Lakshmi scheme apply online process, only offline. The application process for the scheme is mentioned below in a stepwise manner so that you can follow it easily:
Step 1: Please visit the nearest Anganwadi centre.
Step 2: Request an Anganwadi worker to help you register in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) portal and start the application process for the Arogya Lakshmi Yojana
Step 3: Fill in the application form with the help of the Anganwadi worker. Please ensure that all your personal information is correct and accurate to avoid discrepancies and issues later.
Step 4: Attach the scanned copies of all the required documents.
Step 5: Recheck the filled information and then submit the form for the scheme. Wait for verification to be completed, after which one will be able to reap the benefits of the scheme.
Read more: LaQshya Programme- Elevating Maternal and Neonatal Care In India
What Are The Documents Required For The Arogya Lakshmi Scheme?
There are some documents that the applicants are required to attach while applying for the state govt scheme for pregnant women. The list of required documents is as follows:
Conclusion
The Arogya Lakshmi Yojana is an exceptional scheme introduced by the state govt of Telangana for improving the health of pregnant and lactating women and their children. Under the scheme, the women and children beneficiaries are given access to nutritious food and meals so that they can stay healthy and away from health issues, like anemia which arises due to malnutrition.
Proper nutrition is not and should not be a privilege, but unfortunately, in today’s world, it is. This is also the primary reason why women from low-income groups are malnourished and therefore give birth to malnourished children. It is our responsibility to change this and ensure that every citizen of India, especially pregnant women, lactating women, and newborn babies and children, have access to all the necessities of life, without any conditions or terms.
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