Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana: New guidelines, online payment, more

(Representative image)

NEW DELHI: In the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis, the Centre has decided to provide some relaxation in the eligibility norms for opening of Sukanya Samriddhi accounts. Now, a new account can be opened in the name of girl child on or before July 31, 2020, who have attained the age of 10 years during the period of lockdown from March 25, 2020, to June 30, 2020, as per the latest guidelines of the postal department.
The three-month relaxation will certainly help parents of the girl child who couldn’t open a Sukanya Samriddhi account due to the lockdown. It must be otherwise noted that a Sukanya Samriddhi account can only be opened up to age of 10 years only from the date of birth.
Here are key things to know about the Sukanya Samriddhi scheme:
* Among small savings schemes, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has the highest interest rates and it currently fetch an interest of 7.6 per cent.
* A maximum of Rs 1.5 lakh can be deposited in a financial year
* Deposits can be made in lump-sum and there is no limit on the number of deposits.
* A parent/guardian can open only one account in the name of one girl child and maximum two accounts in the name of two different girl children.
* From the date of account opening, deposits in Sukanya Samriddhi account can be made till the completion of a period of 15 years.
* Partial withdrawal is allowed after the account holder (girl child) attains the age of 18 years.
* Sukanya Samriddhi account can be closed after completion of 21 years.
* Account subscribers can make online deposits via intra-operable net-banking and IPPB (India Post Payments Bank) saving account.