The Hindu

Mangalore, Jul 18: In Dakshina Kannada district, 206 girl babies have benefited from the Bhagyalakshmi scheme since it became operational in the district two months ago.

Under this scheme, a girl child born into a below poverty line family on or after April 1, 2006 will have a fixed deposit of Rs. 10,000 in her name. The beneficiary will get this amount with interest when she turns 18. In the district, 119 girls were born into below poverty line families in April and 87 were born in May.

Bantwal taluk has registered 59 girl babies under the scheme, followed by Beltangady with 56, Puttur with 39, Mangalore rural with 31, Sullia with 20 and Mangalore urban with one. The zilla panchayat authorities here have sent these details to the central office in Bangalore.

The authorities said they were yet to receive specific directions regarding the operational part of the scheme.

About the fact that only one girl child has been registered in Mangalore urban taluk, the authorities said the scheme had a rural orientation.

Dakshina Kannada district has a favourable sex ratio compared to most districts in the State. Reports of female infanticide are fewer in the district.

Recognising the gender bias among most families for a male child and the sense of despondency that sets in with birth of a girl child, the Government has introduced this scheme.

The Government is considering adding an insurance component to this scheme.