Gujarat Child Welfare Drive Helps Thousands of Children
Gandhinagar, October 29: Gujarat is running a number of welfare schemes to support children in the areas of health, education and safety. The list includes the Vahli Dikri Yojana, the Mukhyamantri Alpahar Yojana, the Digital Health Passport, the Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana and the Namo Lakshmi Yojana.
The Foster Parent Scheme, called Palak Mata-Pita Yojana, is one of the government's important welfare programmes. It is run by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department and is aimed at orphaned children up to 18 years of age.
Under this scheme, close relatives and foster parents of such children receive Rs 3,000 every month to meet costs related to education and health. Thousands of children in the state are receiving this financial assistance, which is helping them build a better life.
Sneha Chaudhary, a beneficiary, said that she gets Rs 3,000 from the government every month under the scheme. The money has helped her with education, including tuition classes, and she said it has enabled her to study well.
Meet Patel, another beneficiary, said he receives Rs 3,000 monthly under the Palak Mata-Pita scheme, which has helped him become capable and receive a quality education. He said the amount paid for his school and tuition fees and gave him great relief. He is preparing to complete his postgraduate course.
The Palak Mata-Pita Yojana can be availed by submitting an online application on the portal of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department. Applications are reviewed by the Child Welfare Committee, and selected beneficiaries receive financial help.
Sanjay Patel, Child Protection Officer in Gandhinagar, said orphaned children are usually cared for by maternal uncles, paternal uncles and grandparents. He said the scheme is especially meant to support the education of these children. Registration on the department's portal is required for applications.
Alkaben Rawal, a member of the Ahmedabad Child Welfare Committee, explained that after an application is submitted, the committee develops a care plan and prepares a home inspection report. After everything is finalised, the committee orders that the child be given the sponsorship scheme benefit, under which Rs 3,000 is paid every month. She said both schemes are intended to ensure that children grow up in a family environment.
According to official figures, 21,881 beneficiaries received Rs 80.81 crore under the Palak Mata-Pita Yojana in the financial year 2025-26. From April to September 2026, Rs 41.11 crore was provided to 22,224 children.
The Foster Parent Scheme is not limited to financial assistance. It also gives children a secure environment to grow and an opportunity to move towards a self-reliant future. Overall, the initiative is an important step by the Gujarat government towards child welfare, social security and the empowerment of vulnerable children.