Have 2nd girl child, get Rs25k: MBMC

In a historic policy decision aimed at curbing alarming incidents of female foeticide, the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has decided to extend financial aid in cases where a second girl child is born to couples who already have a daughter.

The MBMC will create a fixed deposit of Rs25,000 which will be paid to the second daughter after she turns 18. This move is expected to encourage families to accept girl children and reduce the likelihood of female foeticide.

MBMC mayor Tulsidas Mhatre said, “The proposal has already been sanctioned in the last meeting. We will now send it to the state government for final approval. Once sanctioned, all necessary amendments and budgetary allocation will be made to facilitate the scheme which would extend to all couples regardless of their economic status.” MBMC has already made it compulsory for expectant mothers to register at their office within sixty days of pregnancy.

In a recent MBMC meeting, the resolution was unanimously passed by the general body after a call to attention motion in this context was moved by corporator Anil Sawant.

According to him, the declining child sex ratio in the Mira-Bhayandar region was a cause of concern and urgent steps were needed to be taken.

Even though the MBMC administration has already sealed four sonography machines within its jurisdiction, it is believe that many are still operational.

Vikram Kumar, commissioner, MBMC, added, “The MBMC administration will take a timely call on its implementation as it is an important issue. We are in the process of going through all the technical formalities.”