Sunday, November 20, 2005

HDMC’s novel idea of encouraging girl child

HDMC’s novel idea of encouraging girl child

Newindpress.com
Sunday November 20 2005 09:36 IST

HUBLI: If every thing goes well, Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation will soon become the first local body in the state and the country as well in encouraging the birth of girl child.

When the incidents of killing of girl child and female foeticides are on the rise, the HDMC has hit upon a idea of encouraging woman, who gives birth to girl child in all government hospitals of Hubli-Dharawad.

As per the innovative idea, Corporation will give a silver coin to the woman who gave birth to girl child after giving fitting felicitation to her.

Women belonging to Schedule Caste, Schedule Tribe or other backward caste will be given food grains and other essential commodities worth around Rs 1,000 besides the silver coin at the time of delivery.

This facilities available only to women who give birth to girl child in their first and second delivery only at government hospitals including corporation maternity hospitals in Hubli-Dharwad.

Women if they gave birth to boy child in first delivery and girl child in second delivery will also be entitled for the scheme, but women who give birth to only boy child in her first and second delivery will not be entitled for any benefits under the scheme.

This plan has been accepted by all the members during the recently held Corporation’s general body meeting and green signal given to this scheme.

Commissioner P Manivannan has been fully authorised by all the members in the corporation to finalise this plan and implement it by January 1, 2006 as a New Year gift to the people of twin cities.

Talking to this website’s newspaper, Commissioner said that after seeking suggestions from various members and persons from the health department, corporation has planned to give a silver coin.

He said, ‘‘We have been thinking of depositing some amount upto Rs 1,000 in the form of ‘Vikas Patra’ in the name of newly born girl child for 10 to 20 years so that it would help the child to pursue her education, instead of giving a sliver coin.

Within two or three days, we will decide whether to give silver coin or deposit money in the form of Vikas patra. ‘‘But it is sure that we are going to give some incentive to mother who gives birth to girl child in her first two deliveries,’’ he said.