Raouf Dar
Anantnag March 16 (KINS): Officials at ICDS centre Khovripora in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district have been allegedly asking for money for affidavits from people, who have applied to avail the benefits of ‘Ladli Beti’ scheme.
In 2015, Jammu and Kashmir government approved a state-sponsored social assistance scheme for girl child ‘Ladli Beti’ which was implemented districts with low child sex ratio.
Although officials said those apply to avail benefits for the scheme do not have to pay any amount, locals allege that still officials at ICDS Centre Khovripora were colleting Rs 300 from each beneficiary for issuing the affidavit.
“My daughter’s case has been sanctioned. As we are completing other formalities before we receive passbook from the bank, officials at ICDS Centre Khovripora are forcing us to pay Rs 300 for affidavits. They have kept a lawyer available. We have already submitted all documents still we are being forced to pay Rs 300 for affidavits and looting poor people,” Manzoor Ahmad, a resident of Aishmuqam told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
Similar complaint was made by Mohammad Ramzan of Aishmuqam. “My daughter’s case was sanctioned months ago. Before the amount gets deposited into her account, I had to pay Rs 300 for affidavit. This is done nowhere in Kashmir,” he added.
Bilquis Jan, Deputy Director ICDS Anantnag said beneficiaries should not pay any amount for the affidavit.
“The affidavit is required in some cases and not for everyone. I will enquire why officials are asking for affidavit and seeking money,” she told news agency KINS.
The scheme has been launched to create a strong positive disposition towards the girl child and aims to reverse the alarming trend of declining child sex ratio.
The scheme addresses the concerns of girl’s right from birth to adulthood by providing financial security to the girls.
Under the scheme, the state government will contribute Rs 1,000 per month towards the birth of every girl child with effect from April 1, 2015 for the next 14 years. Upon reaching the age of 21, the girl child would receive a sum of Rs 6.5 lakh.
Only those girl child, born to parents with annual income from all sources less than Rs 75,000 per annum are eligible for the benefits under the scheme. (KINS)
