Assessing the Karnataka Cash Transfer
In March 2010, the Karnataka Health Promotion Trust (KHPT)
approved a 1 crore cash scheme to provide targeted monetary support to orphans
and vulnerable children through the Department of Women and Child
Development.
Targeting
In order to target the
limited support to the neediest beneficiaries, a family assessment tool was
developed by the USAID supported Samastha project implemented by University of
Manitoba/KHPT. To date, workers in nine
districts have been trained to implement the family assessment tool to identify
beneficiaries. Applications for
assistance are validated and approved by the Village Health Sanitation
Committee (VHSC). In the program’s first
round, 700 villages put forward proposals yielding approvals for 5,000
children. There are plans to expand throughout Karnataka.
Implementation
The Cash Transfer Program is
implemented by village link workers with assistance from Anganwadi workers
(AWW) and Auxillary Nurse Midwives (ANM). The transfers average Rs. 500 per
month, with a maximum benefit of Rs. 800 per month or 9,600 per year. The Cash Transfer money can be used for basic
necessities including food, educational support, foster care, and medical
care.
Study
In the Karnataka Cash Transfer studies, our goal is to
answer the following questions:
- What are the
components of the Karnataka Scheme?
- Given the Cash
Transfer targeting strategy in Karnataka, which children are included and
excluded and what are their comparative needs?
- How do Cash Transfer beneficiaries
and non-beneficiaries compare with regards to child health, wellness and
development?
This study is underway!
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