Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave the slogan ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ to save and educate the daughters of the country. He brought this as a scheme in his first term. However, instead of taking this scheme off the ground, the government has only done the work of publishing it in advertisements. This has been confirmed by BJP MP Heena Vijaykumar Gavit himself.
In fact, the committee headed by Gavit has presented its report on the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign in the Lok Sabha. It has been told in the report that from the year 2016 to 2019, Rs 446.72 crore was allocated for this scheme. But 78.91 percent of it has been spent on advertisements only.
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This report on women empowerment, says, “This committee understands the importance of promotion of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme through media campaign. But it is equally important to work on the objective of the scheme.”
Taking a jibe at Union Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani, All India Mahila Congress has said, “According to a Parliamentary Committee Report, almost 80% of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” funds are being used by Modi Govt – ONLY on publicity. For @smritiirani & Modi Govt – Women Security/Girl Education is ‘Self Promotion’!”
This is not the first time that the government’s intention regarding this scheme has been questioned. In the year 2015, the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme was launched from Haryana. According to a CAG report, this scheme was not used properly in Haryana. Each district was to be allocated Rs 5 lakh by the health department. But in Panipat Rs.3.01 lakh was spent at the entrance only for the day of launch of the scheme.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development Virendra Kumar has already told two years ago that till the year 2019, Rs 364 crore has been spent on advertisements for this scheme by the government.
Prime Minister Modi claimed that through this scheme he would improve the child-sex ratio, end gender-based discrimination, ensure women’s safety-education and participation. Sadly, this has been limited to advertisements only. Yes, BJP has definitely used this scheme for its campaign during elections.