A recent Right to Information (RTI) reply from the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) has revealed that the Modi government has spent Rs 952.4 crores on the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme over the last 11 years. However, the ministry has failed to provide any details on how these funds were utilized, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability in one of the flagship schemes aimed at empowering girls in India.
“Launched in 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BBBP scheme was intended to address declining child sex ratios and promote the education and well-being of the girl child. The program was designed to be implemented across multiple districts in India, with funds allocated for awareness campaigns, incentives for girl child education, and strengthening of government institutions working on gender-related issues.”
However, various reports and newspaper findings have repeatedly pointed out that a significant chunk of the funds allocated under this scheme was spent on publicity rather than direct benefits for the target beneficiaries.
The RTI, filed by Ajoy Bose, sought details on the breakdown of how the Rs 952.4 crore was spent. While the government confirmed the total expenditure, it did not disclose specific utilization details. This omission raises questions about whether the funds were effectively used to improve the condition of girls or if a large portion was merely spent on promotional activities such as advertisements, hoardings, and media campaigns.
“Social activists have criticized the government’s failure to provide utilization details. “If nearly Rs 1,000 crore has been spent on this scheme, the public has the right to know where and how it was used. Without transparency, such schemes lose credibility,” says Ajoy Bose the whistleblower.”
Transparency advocates argue that the government’s reluctance to disclose fund allocation raises suspicions about financial mismanagement. “While awareness is important, the primary focus of the scheme was supposed to be the improvement of girls’ education and healthcare. If money is not reaching the grassroots, then the scheme’s effectiveness comes into question,” said a former bureaucrat who worked on gender policies.
“Following the RTI revelation, opposition leaders and activists should demand a comprehensive audit of BBBP spending. This is public money meant for the betterment of girls in India. If funds are being misused or wasted on promotions instead of tangible benefits, the government must be held accountable.”
Several activists are also calling for an independent audit by agencies like the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) to investigate whether funds have been effectively used for their intended purpose.
While the BBBP scheme was launched with noble intentions, the lack of transparency in fund utilization puts its effectiveness in doubt. The Modi government must address these concerns by making expenditure details public and ensuring that future allocations truly benefit the girls who need them most. As public pressure mounts, it remains to be seen whether the government will come forward with detailed expenditure reports or whether another flagship scheme will fall under the shadow of financial mismanagement.