Action plan

The option to invest long- term in equity markets through properly regulated Financial Institutional (F.I) Funds investing in approved longterm infrastructure proposals, which desperately need such long-term funding, can also, be used to improve and protect the lot of the girl child in those sections of the Society’s populations where today the girl child is majorly disadvantaged.

The Government could offer to subsidize all girl children of poor families by say Rs. 20,000/- each on their first birthday invested in such Funds, to be drawn out at the rate of 20 percent each year on their 18^th, 19^th, 20^th and 21^st birthdays and the balance on their 25^th birthday. This will infuse better stability to the individual’s finances.

Even at a conservative return of 10 percent per year, the initial Rs. 20,000/- will in 17 years become at least Rs. 1.01 lakhs, thus making every poor girl child a ‘Lakhpati’ by her 18^th birthday. It should be made clear that such amount will be credited to the account of the girl only on her 18^th birthday and that if she dies before the withdrawal date, the amount will revert to the Government. This will ensure against the evils of female feticide, female illiteracy, female ill-health/ malnutrition, early marriage etc. This will also, lead to better female education as her own family seeks to keep her with them till at least her 19^th birthday and then marry her when the in-laws can look forward to the next two instalments coming into their family. The final instalment, at the age of 25, will be for her own nuclear family. Such expected contribution will encourage proper respect and treatment of the girl.

“If we educate a boy, we educate one person. If we educate a girl, we educate a family – and a whole nation.” – African proverb

In the initial stages this scheme could be limited to up to only two girl children per poor family on their first birthday. Also, at the start of the scheme girls over one-year age but less than 10 years’ age could be considered for at least some similar subsidy even if at a lower rate or for up to a few years longer to make the scheme more inclusive and equitable. For older girls, scholarships for education and the present Marriage grant can be continued or even enhanced.

Also, since the Government is in any case, already committed to investment in such Projects, this proposal does not in any way call for any extra allocations from its present resources, it only calls for re-distribution of the long-term income thereof, as tolls or fees etc.; as a social subsidy payable at a later date, which again is also, an aim for the Government. A subsidy that from day one, encourages the right behaviour and attitude and improves the lot of the presently disadvantaged girl children, will itself lead to greater productivity by then. Such increased productivity will soon thereafter more than compensate for the initial subsidy.

Providing a similar option to other families, especially from the lower and middle class, to also, invest their monies in such long-term funds in favour of their children (both boys and girls), and encouraging them to do so by offering them a tax-free return after 15 or 20 years, will generate huge inflows for the approved Projects which will thus also, reduce the call on the Government’s own monies. Considering the overall benefits, such a Tax-Free option will actually be of advantage to the Government.

Conclusion

Every girl child is as much a treasure to our Country as a boy child. However, in poor families the girl child is greatly mistreated, receives as little care and consideration as possible and is married off at the earliest. The physical malnutrition and mental effects of such rejection leads to them becoming inadequate mothers, thus affecting future generations and also, in their becoming maladjusted members of the Society. Hence, it is essential that the scheme as given above is implemented at the earliest to enable such girl children to become happy and productive members of our Society.

Beti Bachao! Beti Padhao! Parivar Ka Unnati Badhao!

JAI BHARAT! – JAI HIND!

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