One of the most ambitious and farsighted projects of the Modi government, ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ (BBBP), launched with the vision of empowering girls in India, has now come under scrutiny. The very ministry responsible for running the scheme—the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)—is now facing serious allegations of financial opacity and mismanagement.
A recent Right to Information (RTI) reply and a tweet by congress president Mallikarjun Khare has revealed a shocking gap in financial transparency regarding the scheme. The MWCD disclosed that the Modi government had spent a whopping Rs 952.4 crores on the BBBP scheme over the last 11 years. However, when asked about the utilization of these funds, the ministry failed to provide any concrete details. The revelation has raised serious concerns about accountability in one of the government’s flagship programs aimed at protecting and educating girls.
Unhappy with the vague response, whistleblower Ajay Bose escalated the matter by filing an appeal with the Final Appellate Authority (FAA). In a new reply dated today, the FAA provided a detailed breakdown of the amount allocated to each state under the scheme. However, this reply has exposed more disturbing discrepancies. It revealed that since the inception of BBBP, a total of Rs 49697.17 lakhs (Rs 496.97 crores) had been allocated to the states. This figure starkly contrasts the earlier claim of Rs 952.4 crores spent by the ministry.
This means that there is a staggering discrepancy of nearly Rs 455 crores. The question now arises—where did this massive sum of money go? Was it misappropriated? Diverted? Or is this yet another instance of bureaucratic corruption?
The staggering financial irregularities have sparked outrage among activists and citizens alike. The BJP-led central government, which has long prided itself on transparency and accountability, now finds itself in the eye of a storm over mismanagement of funds meant for one of its most celebrated social welfare programs. The Opposition has also seized the opportunity to question the government’s handling of the scheme and has demanded a high-level probe into the missing Rs 455 crore.
With such serious allegations hanging over the BBBP scheme, the MWCD must come clean about where the funds have actually gone. If the government truly stands by its promise of empowering girls in India, it must first ensure that the funds allocated for their welfare are not lost in bureaucratic black holes.
The missing Rs 455 crore is more than just a financial discrepancy—it is a question of trust, governance, and the future of millions of girls who depend on this scheme for their education and protection. The Modi government must now answer the burning question: Where did the money go?
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 Ajay 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 Ajay 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 are demanding 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,” said an opposition leader.
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.