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The ministry of women and child development (WCD) has been, for the past few months, receiving information that some people have been distributing illegal forms in the name of cash incentives under the BBBP scheme
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been tasked with investigation into financial frauds that are being perpetuated across north Indian states in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship campaign—Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP). The agency has received reports of malpractice from Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Bihar.
The ministry of women and child development (WCD) has been, for the past few months, receiving information that some people have been distributing illegal forms in the name of cash incentives under the BBBP scheme. The BBBP was launched in January 2015 and is a joint initiative of the WCD, ministry of human resource development and others. “The scheme has no provision for any cash incentives for individuals. BBBP scheme focuses on challenging mindsets and the deep-rooted patriarchy in societal system in order to value the girl child,'' said a statement issued by the ministry.
The BBBP also focuses on the strict enforcement of the Pre-natal Diagnostic Test (PNDT) Act under which sex determination of the foetus and its subsequent abortion are punishable crimes. BBBP also focuses on advancing education for the girl child, issues of women empowerment on a life-cycle continuum.
The ministry had issued public warning against touts who were fleecing people in the name of the scheme. “However, some people are still falling prey to such frauds and buying forms or disclosing personal details in name of such non-existent benefits being falsely offered in the name of BBBP scheme,” the ministry note further added.
Across these states, forms are sold at stationery shops and other easily accessible outlets. The forms cost between Rs 5 and 10 and have detailed literature which promises the applicants that upon sending the forms to the WCD ministry, they will be entitled to cash incentives. Ever since the scam unfolded earlier this year, the ministry has been flooded with lakhs of forms, all sent by gullible families.
