3,039 girls benefited in Chhindwara under Ladli Laxmi Yojana

Bhopal, May 20 (UNI) Launched by the Madhya Pradesh Government with the objective of making birth of a girl a festive occasion, a total of 3,039 girls were benefited under the Ladli Laxmi Yojana in Chhindwara district in 2007-08.

Mandla district topped in the state in terms of success rate with 422.10 per cent, followed by Betul where success rated of 399.57 per cent was achieved and 2,817 girls were declared Ladli Laxmis, official sources said.

Jabalpur district notched the third spot with 2,708 girls being benefited, while Chhindwara district, where most number of girls benefitted, achieved 350.92 per cent success.

A total of 40,854 girls were benefitted in 2007 under the scheme against the target of 30,000 girls set for 2007. This achievement amounts to 136 per cent against the target.

Sixty per cent districts in the state achieved 100 to 442 percent success in the implementation of the Ladli Laxmi Yojana last year.

Seven districts achieved more than 200 percent success, while success rate has been 100 or more in 19 districts.

Considerable awareness has been created by the scheme in rural areas. As many as 18,223 girls have been given the benefit of the scheme during the short span of the current financial year, while the target of the scheme till May was 8,332 girls. Thus, 218.83 per cent success has been achieved against the target.

The government claimed that changes in mentality of people are palpable after the implementation of the scheme. The desire of a male heir by families is being abandoned and couples are adopting family planning even after two daughters. Constant contact with Anganwadis by parents is also a sign of great popularity of the scheme.

Keeping up the popularity of Ladli Laxmi Yojana, the state government has decided to give its benefit to first girl from 2008 but the condition of family planning after second delivery has been continued as before so the objective of the scheme can be fulfilled.

Now the twin girls and girls whose mother or father has died are also being extended benefit of Ladli Laxmi Yojana, sources added.

UNI PS