Question : Beti Bachao- Beti Padhao

whether the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) has reportedly declined in some States/ UTs of the country, if so , the details thereof and the reasons therefore, State/ UT -wise;

(b) whether the Government has conducted any survey to identify the areas/Gender Critical Districts in which CSR is declining and if so, the details and outcome thereof;

(c) whether the Government has launched ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)’programme to save and empower girl child across the country and if so, the salient features thereof indicating its coverage and districts identified and criteria/ norms adopted for their identification;

(d) the total project cost of the programme along with the funds allocated/ released and utilized under the said programme since its inception, State/ UT-wise;

(e) whether the Government has assessed the impact and progress/ achievements made under the programme and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(f) whether the Government also proposes to introduce any insurance scheme for girl child under the said programme and if so, the details thereof; and

(g) the steps taken/ being taken by the Government to increase coverage of the programme and to improve CSR in the country?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)



(a) & (b) As per Census 2011 data, Child Sex Ratio (CSR) stands at 918 girls per 1000 boys in the age group of 0-6 years, against 927 in 2001 Census. The State-wise detail is enclosed at Annex-I. The reasons behind the declining Child Sex Ratio in the country, primary the socio- cultural mindset having preference for son, considering girls as burden and preference for small family. Further, easy availability of technology for sex determination tests and abortion services act as a catalyst in the declining Child Sex Ratio.
(c) Government of India has introduced the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme for survival, protection & education of girl child. It aims to address the issue of declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) through a mass campaign across the country targeted at changing societal mindsets & creating awareness about the criticality of the issue. There are focussed intervention & multi-sectoral action in 100 districts with low Child Sex Ratio. The criteria for selection of 100 districts under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme are as under:-
• 87 Districts have been selected from 23 States/UTs having Child Sex Ratio below the National average of 918.
• 8 Districts have been selected from 8 States/UTs having Child Sex Ratio above National average of 918 but showing declining trend.
• 5 Districts have been selected from 5 States/UTs having Child Sex Ratio above National average of 918 and showing improving trend so that other parts of country can learn from them.
The list of 100 gender critical districts with low on CSR is enclosed at Annex-II.
(d) The total project cost of the Scheme for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao for the remaining part of the 12th Five year Plan (2 & ½ years ) is Rs. 199.99 crore with 100% Central Assistance. During the year 2014-15 an amount of Rs. 13.37 crore was released to State/UTs for implementation of BBBP Scheme. The details of fund released to State/UTs during the Financial Year 2014-15 is enclosed at Annex III.
During the Financial year 2015-16 an amount of Rs. 19.72 crore has been released to State/UTs as first installment for implementation of BBBP Scheme. The details of fund released to State/UTs during the Financial Year 2015-16 is enclosed at Annex IV.
(e) Since the overall objective of the Scheme is to improve declining Child Sex Ratio in the country and create an enabling environment for the education of girl child, this requires long-term attitudinal change. The Scheme is at the nascent stage of implementation and its impact cannot be assessed at this stage.
(f) There is no provision of any insurance scheme for girl child under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme.
(g) Under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme apart from funds released for 100 selected districts, funds are also released to all the State/UTs for conducting various activities such as awareness generation to improve Child Sex Ratio in the country. Massive media campaign is also being carried out at national level to create mass awareness about the declining child sex ratio.
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