Concerns over Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme spending

Guwahati: A report tabled in the Lok Sabha by the parliamentary committee on the Empowerment of Women has raised concerns about the allocation and utilization of funds for the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme.

The committee, headed by Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, noted that a significant portion of the scheme's budget has been directed towards media campaigns.

While acknowledging the importance of raising awareness, the report suggests that this approach might not be translating into measurable outcomes.

The committee recommended that the government prioritize other aspects of the program, such as multi-sectoral interventions in districts with low child sex ratios, to achieve tangible progress towards the scheme's objectives.

Advertisement

The report further highlights the underutilization of allocated funds. According to the committee, only 25.13% of the funds distributed to states between 2014-15 and 2019-20 (excluding the COVID year) were actually spent on the scheme's initiatives.

This raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current implementation strategy and the need for improved monitoring and accountability mechanisms.

The committee futher adder about the need for a more balanced approach to implementing the BBBP scheme.
It recommended shifting the focus towards achieving concrete results through multi-sectoral interventions in districts with concerning child sex ratios.

Additionally, the report underscores the importance of adhering to established guidelines regarding fund utilization, which prioritize interventions beyond media campaigns and ensure efficient resource allocation for various program components.