The National Girl Child Day is being celebrated on 24th January, 2013. On the eve, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in his message said that concerted efforts should be made for protecting the rights and status of girl child. He further said that the State Government was running various welfare programmes and schemes as a result of which Child Sex Ratio in the State had gone upto 918 which was above the national average of 914.
Chief Minister stressed the need to continue to work on further improvement in the Child Sex Ratio. He said that a number of incentive schemes had also been launched by various departments to promote the girl child and also to ensure that she no longer was considered a burden on the family or society. He said that a provision of an additional grant of Rs. five lakh had been made to the Block with best child sex ratio in every district and a cash award of Rs. 10,000 to the informer who informs about the clinics conducting female foeticide with proof, leading to capture red handed and identity of such informers is kept secret.
Virbhadra Singh said that incentive under Indira Gandhi Balika Suraksha Yojna was being given to the couples for undergoing sterilization operation after only one or two female child @ Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 20,000 respectively.
He said that free education to all girls upto graduation level was being provided by the State Government. He said that under Balika Samridhi Yojna benefit for BPL families upto two girl child was being provided on having first girl child. Rs. 10,000 in shape of F.D. in the name of girl child and Rs. 300 on passing first class and increase thereafter. He said that under Mukhyamantri Kalyan Yojna widows/divorced/girls with parents having income Rs. 15000 per annum, help of Rs. 11001 at the time of marriage was being provided.
Chief Minister urged the people not to differentiate between boy and girl child as both are equally capable. He said that various laws had been enacted to curb the crime against girl child.
