An anomaly in the sex-ratio was noticed in the below poverty line surveys. In one of its recent surveys, there were only 928 girls for 1000 boys born. The District Woman and Child Development Agency (DWCDA) officials say that the reason behind the irregularity in the ratio is due to female foeticide and gender inequalities.
To eradicate such gender bias, particularly in rural areas, State government had entered a Memorandum of Understanding with the LIC in 2005 and introduced Girl Child Protection Scheme (GCPS).
The scheme has several advantages for single and two girl children. The emphasis is on education, prevention of child marriages and female foeticide.
A single girl child will be eligible for up to Rs. 1,00,000 and in case of two girl children, Rs. 30,000 each.
The bond will be given to the applicants up on completion of 18 years of age.
The idea is to provide education up to graduation for the girls and not to restrict them to household chores, said project director of DWCDA, S. Vidyavathi.
“With the implementation of the scheme, couples will be discouraged to wait for a male child after one or two daughters,” she said. The literacy rate takes an upward trajectory with the scheme as girls will be encouraged to study up to intermediate. Discontinuing studies makes the girl ineligible for the benefit. Scholarships are also given from IX standard to intermediate.
Eligibility
Below poverty line couples with only single girl child or up to two girls with an income of Rs.24,000 will be eligible along with other criteria.
Family planning operation is mandatory followed with other terms and conditions. Despite a total of 5,000 applications pouring in every year since 2005, only 32,927 bonds were sanctioned under GCPS till date, is still a matter to ponder.
