20 villages to be relocated for UKP III, says minister

A recent government notification making it mandatory for the parents to furnish marriage certificate for availing the benefit of Bhagyalakshmi scheme for their girl child, came in for severe criticism from the BJP in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, leader of the Opposition Jagadish Shettar said the new condition would defeat the very purpose of the scheme as there was no tradition among poor families to register their marriages.

Poor funds

“The scheme is meant for BPL families. How many from lower economic strata register their marriagesThe move is to scuttle the scheme because the government is starved of funds,” Shettar alleged.

The scheme launched by BJP government in 2008 provides for insurance cover for the girl child. Rs 10,000 is deposited in the name of the girl child and the accrued interest is made available to the beneficiary when she attains the age of 18 years.

3 pc register marriages

Basavaraj Bommai (BJP) said only three per cent parents register their marriages.

Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Umashree, said, “The government was keen to continue the scheme and Rs 25 crore had been earmarked for the scheme for the financial year 2014-15.”

When BJP members insisted that the circular be withdrawn, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister T B Jayachandra, said, a self-declaration by the parents about their marriage would suffice during registration for the scheme.