Features, Implementation and Benefits of BBBP and Overview of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Features, Implementation and Benefits of BBBP and Overview of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Q. Discuss the features, implementation and benefits of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme and overview of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana?

A. Features of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

Need for BBBP Scheme

• Census 2011 shows fall in child sex ratio; Decline permanent since 1961
• CSR computed as number of girls for every 1000 boys between ages 0-6 at universal low (918)
• Increase in pre-birth discrimination through gender based sex selection
• Post birth discrimination against girls
• Sex Ratio at Birth for 2010-2012 was 908 (as per SRS Statistical Report-2012)
• This is low compared to international SRB of 952
• Low SRB linked to Sex Selective Elimination and Sex Selective Abortion
• Emphasis on coordinated and convergent efforts to protect the girl child

1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme launched to address issue of decline in CSR through:

• Mass national campaign
• Focused intervention
• Multi-sectoral action in 100 gender critical districts

2. Aims

• Celebrate the girl child’s birth
• Prevent gender biased sex selective elimination/abortion
• Protect the girl child and ensure her survival
• Ensure girl child is educated

3. Targets to be Monitored Under the Scheme

• Improvement of SRB in 100 gender critical districts by 10 points per annum
• Reduction of gender differentials in Under 5 Child Mortality Rate from 8 points in 2011 to 4 points by 2017
• Enhance nutrition status of girls; reduce underweight and anaemia in girls below 5 years (from NFHS 3 levels)
• Universalisation of ICDS; Girl’s attendance and equal care to be monitored through joint ICDS NRHM Mother Child Protection Cards
• Increase women’s enrolment in secondary education from 76% in 2013-2014 to 79% in 2017
• Separate toilets for girls in each school in 100 CSR districts by 2017
• Promotion of a protective environment for girl children through implementation of POSCO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) 2012
• Trained elected representatives/grass-root functionaries to serve as community champions for mobilising communities to enhance CSR and promote the education of girls

4. Strategies to be Followed

• Implementation and sustaining of Social Mobilisation and Communication Campaign for creating equal value for the girl child and promoting her education
• Bringing issues like low SRB and CSR in public setting, improvement would serve as metric for good governance
• Initiating intensive and integrated action in Gender Critical Districts and Cities low on CSR
• Mobilisation and training of PRIs/urban local bodies/grass-root workers for bringing about social change in collaboration with local community and women as well as youth groups
• Service delivery structures/schesma dn programmes which are sensitised to gender issues and rights of children
• Inter-sectoral and inter-institutional convergence for action at block, district and grassroots levels

5. Components of the Scheme

i. Mass Communication Campaign

• Focus on birth, nurturing and education without discrimination
• Interlinking national, state and district level interventions encompassing community level action in 100 districts for creating powerful impact
• Coordination between stakeholders for massive impact

ii. Multi Sectoral Interventions

• Interventions in 100 Gender Critical Districts covering states/UTs low on CSR
• Outcomes and indicators to join together in concerned sectors, states, districts

• Flexible framework for Multi Sectoral Action through State Task Forces for:
- Development, Implementation, Monitoring

• State/District Plans of Action to achieve targets

iii. Scheme a joint initiative of:

• Ministry of Women and Child Development
• Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• Ministry of Human Resource Development

Sectoral interventions:

a. Ministry of Women and Child Development:

• Promote registration of pregnancy within first trimester in Anganwadi Centres
• Effective stakeholders training
• Mobilise and sensitise the community
• Involve gender champions
• Recognise and reward institutional and frontline workers

b. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:

• Implementation of Pre Conception and Pre Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act 1994
• Increase in institutional deliveries to prevent female infanticide/foeticide
• Registration of births
• Increasing power and reach of PNDT cells
• Establishing Monitoring committees

c. Ministry of Human Resource Development

• Universal enrolment of girl child
• Decrease in drop out rate
• Standards in schools should be girl child friendly
• Strict implementation of Right to Education
• Building functional toilets for the girl child

B. Implementation

1. District Level

i. Identification of districts: 3 criteria for selection

• Districts below national average: 87 districts/23 states
• Districts above national average displaying declining trend: 8 districts/8 states
• Districts above national average and increasing trend: 5 districts/5 states

ii. Planning, Implementation & Monitoring at District level

• Constitution of District Task Force headed by DC with representatives from:
• Line Departments/Health and Family Welfare
• Appropriate Authority/PC & PNDT Act (Education)[Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act]
• Panchayati Raj/Rural Development
• Delhi Legal Services Authority, Department of Disability Affairs and Police

iii. Steps

• Formulate DTF/District Task Force headed by DC with the representatives
• Develop District Action Plans via consultative process involving Departments of Women and Child Development, Health & Education
• Provide guidance for multi-sectoral action implementation
• Monthly review of progress on activities listed in district level plans of action
• Nomination of Nodal Officer/Senior Official from each of the departments for forming and implementing the district level plans
• Designation of Coordinating Officer to facilitate formulation of District Action Plan
• Assign overall responsibility for measurable changes in identified indicators pertaining to SRB/CSR
• Review of the implementation of PC&PNDT Act
• Follow up on PNDT cases and submission of monthly reports to State Authority with copy to PNDT division, GoI

iv. Establishment of Linkages

• Links with:

- Local NGOs working in areas such as child sex ratio, gender and education
- Schools, colleges and professional colleges as well as universities for promoting youth campaign on according value to the girl child

• Campaigns for promoting education of the girl child
• Mobilising resources under CSR
• Providing measurable changes through identifiable indicators related to CSR/SRB

v. District Programme Officer/DPO

• DPO works in district ICDS Office/PND Cell or other structure deemed fit by DC/DM
• Structure to coordinate and monitor activities on the ground

2. Implementation Through Task Forces

• In urban areas, Urban Local Bodies/Municipal Corporations
• In national level, National Task Force headed by Secretary Minister of Women and Child Development for monitoring quarterly progress on everyday basis
• In states, State Task force headed by Chief Secretary

3. At Block Level

• Constitute BTF/Block Task Force

• Headed by either of 3: SDM, SDO, BDO.

• Quarterly Meeting of BTF held on constant basis

• Follow up actions in timely manner

4. At Gram Panchayat Level

• VHSNC or Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Committee, sub committee of Gram Panchayat to coordinate, implement and monitor action plan

• Action points to be followed in panchayat forums such as:

- Ward Sabha, Gram Sabha, Mahila Sabha, Gram Panchayats

• VHSNC to be used for service delivery and counselling

5. Timeline for Implementation

• DTF/BTF within 1 month of scheme approval
• First meeting of DTF/BTF within week of constitution
• Fitting timelines and monitorable targets for district action plan within period of 15 days; to be submitted to Department of Women and Child Development and passed on to Ministry
• District Action Plans to be rolled out following fund transfer to Districts through the State

6. Activities for Implementation

a. Sensitisation and Orientation

i. Orienting the Implementing Officers

• District Officers/Zila Parishad Members/Judiciary/District Legal Services Authority/NGOs/Doctors given orientation for getting idea about: Roles, Duties, Responsibilities
• Timeline for above: within first quarter of scheme’s rollout
• Orientation of Block Officers/Panchayat Pradhans/Block Parishad/Sarpanches/Front Line Workers/SHG Members
• Timeline for above: Over a continuum
• Orientation of Panchayat members, VHSNC members for:
• Collecting data
• Mobilising community members
• Spreading information on programmes and schemes
• Providing reports

ii. Sensitising at Different Levels

• Sensitisation of MP/MLA/Elected representatives [within first quarter of scheme rollout]
• Sensitisation of community leaders [within first quarter of scheme rollout]
• Sensitisation of religious leaders within first quarter of scheme rollout]
• Sensitisation of teachers on child sex ratio through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan [within first quarter of scheme rollout]

b. Implementing PC & PNDT Act effectively

c. Measure CSR/SRB:

• Identify baseline data sources for measurement regarding CSR/SRB [Deadline for measurement of baseline data: 31st December 2014]
• Progress of proposed intervention within 2 years

d. Strengthen district PC& PNDT cells through additional manpower such as:
• Retired Inspector, Legal consultants, Cell administrators, Data entry operators

e. Map ultra sonography machines (individually/not clinics) in districts and update data within 3 months

f. Statutory institutional bodies such as District Advisory and District Inspection & Monitoring Committees to be established

g. Update information on current PNDT court cases and review of action

h. Analysis of birth records at:
• Genetic Counselling centres, Surrogacy clinics, IVF centres

i. Achieved through District Appropriate Authority and submission of report to State Appropriate Authority.

j. Online complaint portal to start functioning; complete anonymity of complainant guaranteed

k. Reward for Informers who report sex selective practices and illegal gender selective abortions

l. Enabling Environment

• Creating an environment where value and education of girl child is given stress
• Promotion of early registration of pregnancy to ensure adequate ante natal, post natal and counselling of mothers for girl child to be safe and healthy
• Public awareness campaigns
• Monetary incentives for registration of pregnancy in 1st trimester
• Effective implementation of Mother and Child Protection Card by ASHAs/AWW and other health care centres
• Fixed monthly village health and nutrition day for mothers
• Peer support groups for mothers
• Awareness and utilisation of schemes through:
- ICDS, ICPS, IGMSY, Sabha, Creche, Swadhaar Grah, CARA, Working Women’s Hostels
• Community watch groups including (but not limited to):
- Trained teachers, Youth Groups, Lady Panchayat Members
• to enable protective atmosphere for girl child
• Incentives for schools, panchayats, workers, community volunteers each year

m. Enabling education through:

• School Management Committees, Balikamanches
• Out of school to be linked with back to school/alternative schooling options
• Providing infrastructure such as toilets for girl students
• 47 KGBV [Kasturba Gandhi Bal VIdyalayas] to be completed by August 2015
• Identify obstacles in effective education dissemination for the girl child and implement the same
• Construct more girls hostels
• Operationalise standard protocols for Girl Child Friendly Schools including residential schools and speedy implementation by mid 2015
• District level award to be given to 5 schools per year for promotion of girl child’s education

n. Capacity Building and Training

Training

i. Mainstreaming Gender Equality Related Concerns
• Curriculum building on gender equity across educational institutions with special stress on medical students
• Gender equity and value of girl child to be incorporated in training of administrative, police and training academies

ii. Integration of Gender Concerns at Recruitment Level

iii. Capacity Building of Existing Training Institutions

iv. Gender and Girl Child Units To Impart Training on Gender Sensitisation

v. Inclusion of Girl Child In Training Modules of Flagship Programmes like MGNREGA, ICDS etc along with PRIs, ULBs, women’s SHGs and youth groups

vi. Training of Workers

• Training of frontline workers such as ASHAs to enhance comprehension on gender equity statistics, metrics and impact of female foeticide
• Training for gender equity of existing functionaries and authorities under PC& PNDT Act

Capacity Building

• Building capacities of existing training institutions with youths plus Sabla groups
• Enable groups to become change agents

o. Advocacy, Community mobilization and Awareness Generation:

• Through Naari ki Chaupal, Beti Janmotsav, Mann ki Baat,
• Special day each month for celebration of Beti Bachao, Beit Padhao
• Celebration of National Girl Child Day, International Women’s Day
• Pledge for protection, safety, value and education of girl child
• End of son centric customs and rituals
• Change in perception of sons as bread earners; equal emphasis on daughters earning money and looking after their parents
• Promotion of simple weddings, equal property rights
• Prevention of early/child marriage
• SMS campaigns, Mobile exhibition vans
• Effective use of social media to get large online support for BBBP
• Dedicated BBBP YouTube Channel for encouraging girls to be valued
• Community/Local BBBP Champions for giving their personal triumphs for valuing the girl child on channels
• DM/DC to engage with people through Google Hangout
• Peer sharing and community based learning of women’s issues
• Government functionaries and PSU officials to serve as champions for girl child

p. Awards, Incentives and Rewards

• Identify civil society organisations which implement BBBP scheme
• Encourage meritorious girls in various fields and their families with cash tokens, awards on National Girl Child Day/International Women’s Day/Republic Day etc.
• Exemplary cases of girls who triumphed and families who supported them to appear in local media

q. Final Steps

• Timeline: Staggered throughout the year
• Data collection, monitoring and evaluation carried out
• Research and documentation to see if scheme well implemented

C. Benefits of BBBP Scheme

1. Wide Coverage

2. Comprehensive Attitude Change Programme through Sensitisation

3. Involvement of Multiple Stakeholders; an Integrated Approach

4. 3 Pronged Approach Through 3 Separate Ministries to Cover All Aspects

5. Reinforcement of Gender Equity Through Local Champions

6. Using Media to Bring Change - Mass and social media can impact urban and rural areas

7. Making Officers Aware - This brings change from within and without; officers at helm of social change

8. Wider Impact through Religious and Community Leaders

9. Provision of Infrastructure - construction of functional toilets, other facilities and amenities for facilitating the education of girl child in schools

10. Use of Education as a Tool for Change

11. Measurement of Change through Metrics, Research and Documentation

D. Overview of Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

1. About Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

• New deposit scheme for minor girl child

• Savings scheme can be opened by

- Girl child at age 10
- Guardians or legal heirs for children below this age

• Deposit can be opened at either- PSU bank, Post office

2. Requirement for opening Bank Account

• Birth certificate of girl child
• Identity and residence proof of depositor
• Guardian can open accounts of maximal 2 girl children except:
- Case of Triplets in first birth
- Twin girls in second birth

3. Rules for Deposit

• Account opened with minimum amount of INR 1000
• Any amount in multiples of INR 100 to be deposited with minimum amount of INR 1000 and maximum amount o INR 1,50,000
• Deposit to be made via cash, cheque, DD. Minimum deposit of INR 1000 or else penalty of INR 50 levied

4. Interest Rate

• Calculation of interest similar to PPF
• In current fiscal year, deposit to fetch interest rate of 9.1% per annum
• Rate of interest notified by Government and compounded yearly

5. Premature Withdrawal Rules

• For marriage or higher education, 50% of the money can be withdrawn when the girl turns 18
• Deposit to be made:
- Till end of 14 years from date of account opening or
- The girl is married prior to completion of 21 years

6. Taxation

• Amount deposited towards the account can be deducted for upto INR 1.5 lakhs under section 80C
• Limit also includes other deductions under section 80C

Evaluation

• Average rate of education inflation is 10% and 9.10% interest can go a long way towards meeting expenses
• Allocation of savings to secure accounts will be beneficial
• However, account should be available for more than just 2 girl children to really encourage gender equity
• Higher rates of interest at 9.1% is proposed on deposits on annually compounded basis with income tax concession in the final year-this is beneficial
• Provision to not allow withdrawal before 18 years of age will prevent early/child marriage and promote gender equity and prosperity

E. Conclusion

Regarding BBBP Scheme:

Gender equity and gender prosperity oriented, this scheme views girl child's welfare from multiple perspectives and takes steps to achieve the same. However, the scheme is only effective if implemented with rigour and dedication. The scheme has the potential to bring about attitude as well as social change in the desired direction provided it gains momentum through effective implementation.

Regarding the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana:

The Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana has many positive implications for gender equity and prevention of early/child marriage. This scheme provides financial impetus to parents of girl children. However, the scheme would have greater impact if it were not restricted to just 2 girl children.