BMC to give every girl child born in civic hospitals Rs 1L

The girl can withdraw the amount on turning 18; money to be used only for college education and not marriage.

Starting April 1, the BMC will deposit Rs 1 lakh in the name of every girl child born in Mumbai's civic hospitals under a programme named Sukanya Yojana with the aim of boosting child sex ratio in the city. 

As per the programme, girl children will get the amount with interest on turning 18 to finance their education, provided they are not married at the time. 

The BMC, which had tabled its budget earlier in the month, is currently discussing amendments before passing it. The introduction of the programme was one of the several amendments discussed in the standing committee today. 

The civic body will approve the amendments at its next general meeting. 

"We have put this scheme in the budget and will allocate funds," said Rahul Shewale, chairman, standing committee. ""We found that the child sex ration has declined alarmingly in the recent census. There is also a sharp rise in cases of female foeticide in Mumbai." 

Data with the civic body shows that around two lakh babies are born every year in Mumbai. Around 40 per cent to 45 per cent of them are born in civic hospitals. In 2013, 90,798 boys were born as opposed to 84,410 girls. 

"The amount will deposited in a bank in the girl child's name and will be given to her with interest when she turns 18," said Shewale. "There will be certain conditions, like the amount should be used for a girl's education and not marriage. It will cost the exchequer Rs 300 crore a year."