Govt to launch insurance scheme for girl child

Under the scheme,if a girl child is born in a BPL family,the government will deposit Rs 21,200 in her name after January 2014. “The girl will get Rs 1 lakh on maturity after she is above 18,for her education purposes,” said an official.

Earlier,WCD Minister Varsha Gaikwad,who had initiated the scheme,had met with opposition from the finance department and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in view of the possible burden on the state exchequer.

“Over 2 lakh girls are born every year in BPL families and they are expected to be covered under the scheme,which is likely to cost the state government around Rs 576 crore,” said the official.

The ministry is also expected to table a proposal aimed to provide financial aid to rape and acid attack victims in the next week’s cabinet meeting.

“Around Rs 3 lakh would be granted as financial assistance to victims of rape and acid attacks for their treatment,legal aid,counselling and rehabilitation purposes,” added the official.