Almost 80% of the fund released for “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” between 2016-2019 was primarily used for media campaigning. Schemes and programs introduced by the government for the welfare of society must serve their purpose at the end of the day and must be followed by a proper budget distribution focusing more on the activities that actually contribute towards the purpose.
The government should rethink its spending on marketing
Recently according to a parliamentary commission, more than 78% of the total Rs 446.72 crore released for the “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” scheme between 2016 and 2019 was primarily used for media campaigning, suggesting that the government should rethink its spending on marketing.
PM Narendra Modi introduced the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) program on January 22, 2015. It is a national project co-led by the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health and Family Welfare, and Education that attempts to address the problem of the diminishing child sex ratio image (CSR).
The government should instead concentrate on scheduled expenditure allocation for sectoral interventions in education and health under the government’s flagship program, according to the parliamentary standing committee.
The Lok Sabha heard the sixth report of the Committee on Empowerment of Women (2021–2022)
On Thursday, August 4, the Lok Sabha heard the sixth report of the Committee on Empowerment of Women (2021–2022) on the actions taken regarding the topic “Empowerment of Women through Education with Special Reference to “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” (BBBP) Scheme.”
“The committee discovered that a staggering 78.91 percent of the Rs 446.72 crore released between 2016 and 2019 was spent on media advocacy. The committee is aware that a media campaign is necessary to get the word out about BBBP (Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao), but they also believe that it’s crucial to strike a balance between the scheme’s goals.
The committee had stated in its last report that it was now time to concentrate on other verticals by establishing sufficient budgetary resources to support the achievement of measurable goals relating to education and health anticipated under the scheme.
Reevaluation of scheme’s expenditures on advertising
Being one of the government’s most significant programs to decrease the child sex ratio in underdeveloped areas and guarantee the education of girls, should reevaluate the scheme’s expenditures on advertising and concentrate on the intended allocation of funds for sectoral interventions in education and health.
Moreover, the committee determines that districts are not promptly providing monthly reports or explanations of expenditures as well as holding the required number of task force meetings.
The committee recommended that the ministry should construct the online management information system portal as soon as possible for monitoring and supervision at the state, district, block, and village levels. And to make the data in the web portal available for transparency and real-time monitoring.
The panel advised the Ministry of Women and Child Development, which serves as the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” scheme’s nodal ministry, to make sure that national, state and district task forces’ review meetings are conducted in accordance with the scheme’s rules.
