Revised Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

Context:

The Central Government, expanding the mandate of its flagship scheme – ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (BBBP Scheme) announced the inclusion of skilling of girls in non-traditional livelihood (NTL) options.

Relevance:

GS II: Government schemes

Dimensions of the Article:

1. What are the new Changes in the BBBP Scheme?
2. What are Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL)?
3. About Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

What are the new Changes in the BBBP Scheme?

• Ensuring 1% increment in enrolment at the secondary level particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects.
• Skilling of girls and women every year (mainly in non-traditional livelihoods)
• Increasing knowledge of appropriate menstrual hygiene
• Promulgating elimination of child marriages

Other Changes to the Program:

• The MW&CD emphasized the coordination of efforts among several departments to empower females via quality education (including vocational education).
• To ensure that teenagers finish their education, develop their skills, and enter the workforce in a variety of vocations, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by the MW&CD, the Ministries of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and Minority Affairs.
• State and UT representatives will examine the BBBP scheme’s implementation with a national committee chaired by the Secretary of MW&CD that was established as part of the wider Mission Shakti initiative.

What are Non-Traditional Livelihoods (NTL)?

• “Non-Traditional Livelihoods” (NTLs) – sectors and jobs where participation of women is and has historically been conventionally low or absent. Like STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) subjects due to gender-based categorization of the work, in the society.

About Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Scheme

• The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme, launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister in 2015 in Haryana with the objective of bringing behavioral change in the society towards birth and rights of a girl child, has resulted in increased awareness and sensitization of the masses regarding prevalence of gender bias and role of community in eradicating it.
• Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao is a campaign of the Government of India that aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of welfare services intended for girls in India. The scheme was launched with an initial funding of ₹100 crore. 
• A joint initiative of MoWCD, MoHFW and MoHRD (now Ministry of Education).
• According to census data in India, the child sex ratio (0–6 years) in India was 927 girls per 1,000 boys in 2001, which dropped to 918 girls for every 1,000 boys in 2011.
• In the Population Census of 2011 it was revealed that the population ratio of India 2011 is 919 females per 1000 of males.
• The Sex Ratio 2011 shows a downward trend from the census 2001 data.
• During the last 6 years the Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) has improved by 16 points from 918 in 2014-15 to 934 in 2019-20.
• Gross Enrolment Ratio of girls in the schools at secondary level has improved from 77.45 to 81.32.
• During the last 6 years since its inception, the BBBP scheme has been aiming at changing the mindset of the public to acknowledge the rights of the girl child.
• The scheme has resulted in increased awareness and sensitization of the masses regarding prevalence of gender bias and role of community in eradicating it.
• It has raised concerns around the issue of declining CSR in India.
• As a result of collective consciousness of the people supporting the campaign, BBBP has found its place in public discourse.

Main Objectives:

• Prevention of gender-biased sex-selective elimination.
• Ensuring survival & protection of the girl child.
• Ensuring education and participation of the girl child.
• Protecting rights of Girl children.

Criticism of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao

• Excessive expenditure on communication-related activities: The committee noted that the massive spending on advertisements was despite the clearly laid-down formula for utilization of funds.
• Inefficient allocation and release of funds: The C&AG issued a study criticizing the scheme’s execution, saying that fewer than 20% of the total funds provided by the Centre were actually spent at the state level in 2016-17.
• Implementation challenges: The scheme faces several challenges ranging from underutilisation of available funds, to lackadaisical implementation and failure of monitoring mechanisms, particularly at the state and district levels.
• Unbalanced expenditure patterns: The expenditure planned for the BBBP is highly skewed towards just one pillar of the BBBP scheme. This provides no provision for improving the scheme’s long-term, quantifiable effects on education and health.

-Source: The Hindu