“There is no such thing as a free lunch” is a popular adage communicating the idea that it is impossible to get something for free. However, whoever said that has not taken into account various central and state government schemes which provides free money to its citizens.
Following are few of the cases in which you get free money/services/product from the government.
Free Cash
Under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, the pregnant women and lactating mothers will get Rs. 5000 as incentive to be paid in 3 installments from Government of India.
Various State governments have also come up with a similar scheme to provide allowances to pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Mathrushree scheme is for pregnant women in Karnataka. As per this scheme, pregnant women will get a total allowance of Rs. 6000 from the Government of Karnataka.
Dr Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit Scheme aims to provide financial assistance of Rs. 18000 to poor pregnant mothers in Tamil Nadu for first 2 deliveries. Dr Muthulakshmi Maternity Benefit scheme also provides Amma Maternity Nutrition Kit aimed at providing iron tonic and nutritional supplements to pregnant women in Tamil Nadu.
KCR Kit and Amma Odi Scheme take complete care of pregnant women at every stage of pregnancy. As part of this scheme, financial assistance of Rs 12,000 will be provided for baby boy and Rs 13,000 for baby girl.
Apart from maternity benefits scheme, there are schemes which provide free money to girl from the time they are born to various phases of their life such as graduation, marriage etc.
Kalyana Lakshmi Scheme — Shaadi Mubarak scheme of Government of Telangana provide financial assistance of INR 1,00,116 for marriages to girls in economically weaker families in Telangana.
Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthaan Yojana scheme in Bihar provide financial assistance to girls right from their birth till they get graduated.
Government of Andhra Pradesh provides Rs. 10,000 and free smartphone to women who are part of SHGs in Andhra Pradesh, as part of Pasupu Kumkuma scheme
Free Insurance Cover
Ayushman Bharat Scheme provides an insurance cover upto Rs 5 lakh per family, per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalization.
All pre-existing conditions are covered from day 1 of implementation of PM-JAY in respective States/UTs.
The health services covered under the programme include hospitalization expenses, day care surgeries, follow-up care, pre and post hospitalization expense benefits and new born child/children services.
Various state governments have also come up with similar scheme to provide health insurance.
Under Arogya Karnataka scheme, financial assistance up to Rs. 30,000 per annum will be provided for specified complex secondary healthcare treatment to a family of up to 5 persons. In the event of the family requiring specified tertiary healthcare treatment, this annual limit will be increased to Rs.1.5 lakh per annum.
Government of Rajasthan provides a coverage of INR 30,000 for general illnesses and INR 3,00,000 for serious ailments for its residents through Bhamashah Swasthya Bima Yojana.
Free Smartphone and Data
Many state government offers free smartphone and data to its residents.
Captain Smart Connect scheme in Punjab intends to provide free smartphones along with one year of free calling and 3G data to digitally connect the youth of Punjab.
Free Smartphone scheme in Jharkhand intends to provide free smartphone to 28 lakhs farmers in Jharkhand.
Pasupu Kumkuma scheme,as mentioned earlier, provides Rs. 10,000 and free smartphone to women who are part of SHGs in Andhra Pradesh.
Free Food
Telangana government provides one nutritious meal every day to pregnant and lactating women and children below the age of six through Anganwadi centres, as part of Arogya Lakshmi Scheme.
Free LPG gas connection
Under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana scheme, LPG connections will be provided to BPL families with a support of Rs. 1600 per connection. The scheme provides cash assistance to cover the cost of Security Deposit of Cylinder, Pressure regulator, cost of issuance of Domestic Gas Customer Card (DGCC).
Collateral Free Loans
Under Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY), collateral free loan up to INR 10 lakh is provided to non-farming entrepreneurs.
Interest Subsidy for Housing
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana scheme offers a large number of families across the country an opportunity to construct a house at a low cost. This is done through interest subsidies.The beneficiary families of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana receive credit or interest subsidies on their home loan. The amount of interest subsidy is based on the income category to which the family belongs.
Free Electricity Connection
Saubhagya scheme intends to provide free electricity connections to all remaining un-electrified households in rural as well as urban areas.
Under Saubhagya, single point wiring along with a LED bulb, mobile charging points and switch etc. would be provided and no cost on this account shall be charged by the DISCOM. However, if the household desires to use more power points, the additional wiring and appliances etc. would have to be arranged by the household itself. Every household and consumer shall have to pay for the consumption as per the tariff of the DISCOM.
The cost of electricity consumption shall have to be paid by the respective consumers as per prevailing tariff of the DISCOM based on metered consumption.
So these are few ways to get money from the government. It’s not the kind of money that will be just handed to you. But if you have a specific need, and you qualify, you can get either direct assistance or financing to help you on your way.
If you know of other ways to get money, please do comment on the box below.
If you have any queries on government related services, please ask at Tesz.
