In a significant move for social security, the Kerala government has officially opened the application window for its much-anticipated Sthree Suraksha Scheme. This initiative, which promises a monthly financial cushion for unemployed women across the state, commenced accepting applications from Monday, December 22, as confirmed by the Principal Director of the Local Government Department.
What is the Sthree Suraksha Scheme?
Launched ahead of the state civic polls, the scheme's rollout was initially paused due to the Model Code of Conduct. With the formal issuance of government guidelines on November 10, the path is now clear for implementation. The core benefit is straightforward: eligible women will receive a monthly pension of ₹1,000. This financial assistance is designed to support those who are not covered by any other welfare pension schemes.
Eligibility Criteria and Key Details
To qualify for the Sthree Suraksha pension, applicants must meet specific conditions. The scheme is open to women and trans women aged between 35 and 60 years. A fundamental requirement is that the applicant must be a permanent resident of Kerala. Crucially, she must not be a beneficiary of any other existing welfare pensions, such as those for widows, single women, disabled persons, or pensions from welfare fund boards like EPF.
Furthermore, eligibility is linked to the family's economic status as reflected in the ration card. Only those holding an Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY - Yellow Card) or a Priority Household (PHH - Pink Card) are eligible. If a family's ration card has been reclassified as Blue or White, they will not qualify for this pension.
An important clause addresses mobility and employment. If a beneficiary moves out of Kerala or secures a permanent or temporary job in any central, state, autonomous, or grant-in-aid institution, she will cease to be eligible. However, employment in a private institution is not considered a disqualifying factor.
Application Process and Required Documents
Interested applicants must submit their forms through the dedicated online portal: ksmart.lsgkerala.gov.in. The completed application is to be submitted to the secretary of the respective Local Self Government Institution (LSGI) – which could be the Panchayat, Municipality, or Corporation.
The list of mandatory documents is critical for a successful application:
- Proof of Residency: Documents confirming permanent residency in Kerala.
- Proof of Age: Birth certificate, school certificate, driving license, or passport. In the absence of these, a medical certificate from a doctor accompanied by a self-attested application is acceptable.
- Ration Card: The eligible AAY (Yellow) or PHH (Pink) card.
- Aadhaar Card: Details are mandatory for application and for annual mustering (verification).
- Bank Account Details: IFSC code and Aadhaar-linked account information.
- Self-Attested Declaration: An affidavit affirming the provided details.
Once submitted, LSGI Secretaries will verify the applications. The verified list will then be forwarded to the Kerala Social Security Pension Company, which will directly transfer the pension amount to the beneficiaries' bank accounts, following the established welfare pension model.
Important Conditions and Penalties
The government order includes strict provisions to prevent misuse. If a pension is obtained fraudulently or based on false information, the entire amount will be recovered with an 18% interest penalty. The scheme also has specific rules for special circumstances. For instance, if a beneficiary is remanded or jailed for more than a month, the financial assistance will be suspended for that period. Additionally, there is no provision for the pension to be transferred to heirs upon the beneficiary's death.
This scheme marks a focused effort by the Kerala government to extend social security to a vulnerable demographic, offering tangible support to unemployed women belonging to lower-income families across the state.
