Lok Sabha Question No. 1242 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: DINESH TRIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  1242 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2018

## BETI BACHAO BETI PADHAO

## 1242.   SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  views  of  the  Government  on  the  efficiency  of  implementation  of  Beti  Bachao  Beti Padhao scheme;
- (b) whether the Government has taken cognizance of the fact that out of Rs. 43 crores set out for BBBP scheme, only 5 crores has been utilised;
- (c) if so, the reasons for such poor utilisation of the funds under the scheme; and
- (d) the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  improve  the  utilisation  of  funds  under  the scheme?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme aims to address the issue of decline in Child Sex  Ratio  (CSR)  through  a  mass  campaign  across  the  country  targeted  at  changing societal mindset and creating awareness about the criticality of the issue, which itself requires long-term attitudinal change. However, scheme has been received well and in the last three years, several local innovative interventions have been demonstrated by the districts with support from Departments of WCD, Health & Education.  There is a strong emphasis on mindset change through training, sensitization, awareness raising and community mobilization on ground.
- (b) to (d) The funds were allocated Rs. 43.0 crore during 2016-17 for the BBBP Scheme, however  expenditure  was  Rs.  32.69  crore.  To  keep  the  efficiency  of  BBBP  for deliverance of its objectives, the funding structure of the Scheme was revised as per guidelines from the Ministry of Finance in August, 2016.  As such from the Financial Year 2016-17, under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao campaign, the Ministry has started the disbursement  of  grant-in-aids  directly  to  the  District  Collectors/  Commissioners    of selected 161 districts for implementation of BBBP Campaign in their District.

With  the  direct  release  of  funds  to  the  districts,  there  was  a  requirement  for opening a dedicated account for BBBP Scheme by the district collectors.  Opening of dedicated bank account and registration under PFMS to enable the district to receive funds  was  the  challenging  task.   With  the  continuous  follow  ups  this  has  been achieved.   Due  to  this  reason  the  release  and  utilization  of  fund  were  comparatively less in the F.Y. 2016-17. However, now expenditure has improved substantially. The Ministry  has  taken  all  available  mean  to  achieve  the  financial  target  such  as  video conferences with States/District Administration and media campaign with an exhaustive 360-degree approach including Radio, TV campaign, Advertisements disseminated  through  Cinema  Halls,  newspaper  advertisement,  online  digital  media and  community  engagement  through  Song  &  Drama  Division  of  MoI&B.  With  the help of mass media and programmes from Song and Drama Division and monitoring visits by Ministry's officials, the district administrations are being motivated to achieve the target and goal of the BBBP campaign and utilization of funds has been increased.

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