The Department of Posts has targeted to open 4.5 lakh accounts under the recently-launched small savings scheme for girl children – “Sukanya Samriddhi Account” – across Tamil Nadu this financial year, Mervin Alexander, Postmaster General, Chennai City Region said.
Launching a special campaign for opening new accounts under the scheme at the Vellore Head Post Office on Wednesday, he said already, 15,000 accounts have been opened under the scheme across the State.
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“The gazette notification was issued in December. We launched the scheme at Mylapore HPO on January 30. So far, 8,000 accounts have been opened
In Chennai City Region that comprises seven districts. The target for the region is 1.5 lakh accounts this financial year,” he told reporters. Vellore Postal Division, which has 47 post offices, has so far opened 800 accounts under the scheme, coined as “Selvamagal Semipu Account”. “
The accounts can be opened at all post offices including branch offices,” he said. There are two categories of post offices – department post offices and branch post offices in villages.
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“In Chennai city region, there are 575 department post offices and 1,650 branch post offices,” he mentioned. The Central government has already directed Kendriya Vidyalayas and other CBSE schools to inform the students about the scheme so that they will in turn tell their parents.
The department also plans to reach out to parents/guardians of girl children aged up to 10 years through State government schools, post men and auditors.
Under the scheme, the parents/legal guardians of girl children up to age of 10 years can open the account. Accounts for two children can be opened. This year alone, children aged 11 years too can be enrolled.
Mr. Alexander said the scheme was flexible with multiple options including monthly interest.
The minimum deposit for opening the account is Rs. 1,000, and a maximum amount of Rs. 1.50 lakh can be deposited in a year.
This year, the rate of interest is 9.1 per cent. However, he hoped that better interest rates will be fixed in the coming years too.
Deposit can be made till completion of 14 years from date of opening. In case of one year discontinuation, the account can be regularised on payment of Rs. 50 as penalty.
No limit on deposits
“There is no limit on the number of deposits in a month of year. While the account can be closed after completion of 21 years from the date of opening, it also facilitates 50 per cent withdrawal when the child attains 18 years for higher education and marriage,” he added.
Contributions towards the scheme had tax exemptions. Other than birth certificate, the child’s school certificate is accepted as document for opening the account.
The special camp will be held till March 10. A. Saravanan, senior superintendent of Post Offices, Vellore division was present.