Una, June 13- Samarthya program run by District Administration Una has emerged as a strong medium of education, health and self-reliance of poor and needy daughters. Two important amendments have been made recently in this public welfare program started with the innovative thinking of Deputy Commissioner Una Jatin Lal, through which the scheme has been made more inclusive and practical.

Now more daughters will become eligible-
The district administration has now increased the annual income limit of eligible families from 60 thousand to 80 thousand to avail the benefits of this scheme. Also, amendments have been made regarding the eligibility of disability.
Earlier, where assistance could be obtained if the girl student's father was 60 percent or more disabled, now this limit has been reduced to 40 percent, provided the disability certificate is at least one year old.
Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal said that this amendment in the eligibility criteria has been made with the aim of making the Samarthya program more practical and effective, so that no daughter is deprived of her dreams just due to financial difficulties.

What is Samarthya Program-
'Samarthya' is an innovative program born from the vision of Deputy Commissioner Una Jatin Lal, which is being run by the administration through the District Red Cross Society in collaboration with industrial units under Corporate Social Responsibility. Its objective is to support needy girl students and women in the field of education, health, skills and economic self-reliance.

These are the main facilities and assistance in Samarthya-
Under this program, financial assistance is given to those girl students of Una district whose father is not alive or who are physically handicapped (earlier 60 percent, now 40 percent). Eligible girl students are given assistance ranging from Rs 25 thousand to Rs 2 lakh for higher education, coaching for competitive examinations, medical education and vocational training.
In this, apart from financial assistance for any degree, diploma or any other professional course after 12th, financial assistance is also provided for coaching for exams like UPSC, NEET, Army.
In this program, provision has also been made to encourage sewing, digital literacy, self-help groups, women entrepreneurship for women with a view to women empowerment.
At the same time, health camps, blood donation campaigns and de-addiction campaigns are also being run under this program for the purpose of making the society aware.

So far 26 daughters have benefited-
Secretary and CPO of District Red Cross Society Una, Sanjay Sankhyan said that till now under the Samarthya program, financial assistance has been provided to 26 girl students of the district for higher education, coaching etc. After the revised eligibility criteria, this number is expected to increase rapidly in the coming months.

Where to apply-
For help under the Samarthya program, application can be made by contacting room number 413 of the Deputy Commissioner's office.