Early Times Report
Jammu, Mar 8: On international day of Women when the government is trumpeting the women rights in JK, one of its vital programme 'Ladli Beti' is dying a silent death with people at the helm unmoved and impassive over its failure to take-off.
In a bid to contain declining female sex-ratio and provide financial support to girl-child in Jammu and Kashmir State, the 'Laadli Beti' scheme was launched by the present regime amid much fanfare.
However, three years down the line, the cases are piling up and concerned department allowing the files to gather dust.
As per the official data, there are as many as 5300 cases related to the scheme which are pending disposal without any reason. The cases are waiting for verification by the concerned Child Development Project Officers (CDPO) in the four districts of the valley where the scheme was launched on pilot basis.
Official documents reveal that an estimated amount of Rs 250 lakhs was allocated out of the state exchequer for the implementation of the scheme in all identified districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the scheme guidelines, upon reaching 21 years, the girl would receive a sum of Rs 6.5 lakh, transferred directly in her bank account. In Jammu, the scheme is implemented in three districts - Jammu, Kathua and Samba.
As per the reports, such is the dilatory mode of functioning in the concerned offices related to the scheme that the people have stopped applying for any financial grant under the programme.
An official pleading for anonymity told Early Times that it seems the government has forgotten the scheme quite out rightly. He added that there are review meetings held over the implementation of the scheme and nowhere is any serious measure taken to ensure that the deserving applicants are accorded the benefit under the scheme.
The scheme was launched in the state on October 28, 2015. Under the scheme, it was stated at the time of its launch that the state government will contribute Rs 1,000 per month towards the birth of every girl child born after April 1, 2015 for the next 14 years. Upon reaching the age of 21, the girl child would receive a sum of Rs 6.5 lakh. The scheme is to be implemented on pilot basis in six districts of the State including Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Anantnag, Budgam and Pulwama. |
