In light of the continually declining child sex ratio and dismal female literacy rates, Central Government started the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme across the nation. For grass-roots level implementation of the project, the state unit of Bharatiya Janata Party urged its party workers to take the scheme to the far flung regions of Jharkhand, creating awareness about the initiative and the State-run welfare schemes for the girl child.
“Do not take this campaign to be a political scheme, consider it to be your social responsibility. And not only BJP, every political party should work towards fulfilling the objectives under the scope of this project,” stated Chief Minister Raghubar Das, while addressing a gathering of party workers during a one-day workshop about the scheme. The workshop at State BJP headquarters was to mark the beginning of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme in the State on Monday.
Women and Child Development Minister louis Marandi said, “Centre is making every effort for making the project effective across administrative divisions, we now need to worry about the implementing it at an institutional level. We expect that the workers will study the scheme in detail and promote it in their respective areas.”
One of the major issues to be covered under the scheme is the discrimination against the girl child, an issue raised prominently during the workshop.
“Girls have excelled in every field – from science and technology to sports and more – but the sex ratio is still declining, which is a matter of concern. I would like to appeal to the medical fraternity to strictly check female feticide. Their contribution in this regard is both crucial and commendable,” said the CM.
“India has been known as the forerunner of matriarchal culture in the world. Still the discrimination girls have to face in our society is disturbing. Welfare programmes by government bodies are secondary, but a significant change can only be brought by changing the prevalent mindset,” said state BJP President Ravindra Rai.
“Dropout rate for girl students is a disturbing matter in rural regions of the state. Under the School Chale, Chalaye programme, we were able to achieve an increase in overall school enrolment, now we have to focus on ensuring the more girl students enrolled in schools and complete their studies,” CM said.
He further added, “We are going to start 57 new Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalay across the state. To make the students in the existing and upcoming KGBV more IT efficient, we will also be providing them tablet computers next month. There is also a plan of setting up gymnasiums in these schools.”
lack of sanitation facilities in government schools have been a significant reason behind girls dropping out of schools, but this issue have been dealt with by the State Government and further work is going on in this direction, with help from PSUs.
“We are providing a fixed deposit of Rs2,000 to the girl students to encourage them to attend schools,” said Human Resource Development Minister Neera Yadav.