In order that parents consider their daughters an asset and not a liability, the Central Government today launched a new scheme called "Dhan Laxmi", a conditional cash transfer scheme, to benefit the girl child and improve the sex ratio in the country.
The pilot project of "Dhan Laxmi" will be launched in 11 educationally backward blocks of seven states - Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. An outlay of Rs 10 crore has been proposed for the fiscal 2008-09 to benefit 1,01,970 girl children.
Women and child development minister Renuka Chowdhury said the scheme is designed to change the traditional mindset of parents towards their daughters by linking cash and non-cash transfers to her well-being.
"Dhan Laxmi" will ensure that a significant amount is given to the family on fulfilling specified conditions like ensuring birth registration, immunisation and school enrolment of their daughter and delaying her marriage till the age of 18 years.
In addition, an insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh will also be provided to the newborn. In all under the scheme, a cash package of around 2 lakh will be provided to the family, preferably the mother.
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