Enhanced fin benefits for girl child to check declining sex ratio

New Delhi, Oct 29 (UNI) In a bid to overcome decline in child sex ratio, the Delhi Cabinet today cleared a proposal for substantial enhancement of financial benefits to the girl child.

In a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, it also decided to set up Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights.

In other decisions, the Cabinet decided to fully implement the rehabilitation package of the Prime Minister for victims of the 1984 anti-sikh riots and hike pay scale of Public Health Nurses in Delhi.

Briefing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting, Ms Dikshit said her government was concerned about decline in the child sex ratio and had hence decided to hike incentive on the birth of a girl child apart from increasing stage-wise financial benefits to encourage girls' education.

The Chief Minister said an amount of Rs one lakh instead of Rs 18,000 would be redeemed on the girl attaining the age of 18 years. Ms Dikshit described this as a ''major decision'' which would help in stage-wise empowerment of the girl child.

The liberalised benefits would come into force from January 1 next year whereas benefits relating to education of the girl child would be implemented from the academic session 2008-09.

The deposit of Rs 5000 in the name of each girl child born in government/local body hospitals has been increased to Rs 6000 whereas Rs 4000 would be granted on birth of a girl child other than hospitals.

Earlier, girl child born in house were not eligible for the financial benefit.

An amount of Rs 5000 each on admission of girl child in first standard, 6th standard, 9th standard, 10th standard and 12th standard or equivalent would be released and redeemed together to the girl child on attaining the age of 18 years.

Ms Dikshit said with implementation of enhanced financial benefits to the girl child under the 'Ladli Scheme,' the city Government would be able to eliminate gender disparity in elementary schooling and reduce infant mortality rate.

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