Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development addressed questions regarding the implementation and funding of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) schemes in Bihar. BBBP aims to address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and empower girls and women. MSK was discontinued on 01.04.2022, following a third-party evaluation by NITI Aayog in 2020.
Key Points / Main Content:
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme:
* Launched on January 22, 2015, to address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and empower girls and women.
* Expanded under the SAMBAL vertical of Mission Shakti to cover all districts, including those in Bihar, focusing on multi-sectoral interventions.
* Focuses on mindset and behavioral changes towards the girl child through informing, influencing, motivating, engaging, and empowering stakeholders.
* An operational manual with a thematic calendar for convergence activities at the district level has been developed.
* Financial assistance is provided based on Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) as of 2020-21 per HMIS data:
* SRB ≤ 918: Rs. 40 Lakh per year.
* SRB 919-952: Rs. 30 Lakh per year.
* SRB > 952: Rs. 20 Lakh per year.
* States/UTs can utilize up to 25% of total allocation for advertisements and media advocacy.
* Funds can be implemented through districts, partially through districts with state management, or directly by the State/UT.
* Funds released to Bihar:
* 2022-23: Rs. 660.00 Lakhs
* 2023-24: Rs. 0.00 Lakhs
* 2024-25: Rs. 322.5 Lakhs
* 2025-26: Rs. 645.0 Lakhs
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme:
* Approved in November 2017 as a centrally sponsored scheme for rural women empowerment through community participation.
* Discontinued with effect from April 1, 2022, based on a NITI Aayog evaluation in 2020 and consultations with States/UTs and stakeholders.
Impact Analysis:
State of Bihar:
* Impact: Receives financial assistance under BBBP based on district-wise SRB to implement activities for the empowerment of girls and women.
* Action Required: Implement BBBP scheme activities effectively, utilizing funds as per guidelines and focusing on districts with lower SRB.
Districts:
* Impact: Implement BBBP scheme activities on the ground, utilizing allocated funds and following the operational manual and thematic calendar.
* Action Required: Engage stakeholders, conduct convergence activities, and monitor progress to improve SRB and empower girls and women.
Ministry of Women and Child Development:
* Impact: Oversees the implementation of the BBBP scheme and monitors its impact on CSR and women's empowerment.
* Action Required: Continue to provide financial assistance and guidance to States/UTs, monitor the scheme's progress, and make necessary adjustments to improve its effectiveness.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies and programs related to women and children.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP): A scheme launched in January 2015 to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and empower girls and women.
Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK): A centrally sponsored scheme approved in November 2017 to empower rural women through community participation, discontinued with effect from 01.04.2022.
Bihar: A state in India, the focus of the question regarding the implementation of the mentioned schemes.
Mission Shakti: A mission under which BBBP is a component, specifically under the SAMBAL vertical.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India, which conducted a third party evaluation study of the MSK scheme in 2020.
15th Finance Commission: The finance commission period during which BBBP was expanded to cover all districts of the country.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare: The Indian government ministry whose HMIS data is used to determine Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) for fund allocation under the BBBP scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1124
TO BE ANSWERED ON 25.07.2025
MAHILA SHAKTI KENDRA
†1124. SHRI ABHAY KUMAR SINHA:
Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:
(a) specific steps taken for the effective implementation of the schemes of Women
Empowerment like 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' and 'Mahila Shakti Kendra' in Bihar
particularly in the rural and deprived areas;
(b) the details of the funds allocated/spent on these schemes in said State during the
last three years, district-wise;
(c) whether any policy of targeted intervention has been made under these schemes to
deal with challenges like decline in women's literacy rate and the incidence of gender
based violence and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether certain amount of financial assistance meant for remittance to said State
under these schemes is still lying pending with the Union Government; and
(e) if so, the details of the amount lying pending vis-a-vis the schemes concerned, year-
wise?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) to (e) : Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme was launched on 22nd January 2015
to help address declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of empowerment of
girls and women over a life cycle continuum. In the 15th Finance Commission Period, BBBP
as a component under the SAMBAL vertical of Mission Shakti, has been expanded to cover
all the districts of the country including Bihar through multi-sectoral interventions
encouraging greater spend on activities that have on ground impact.
The scheme focuses on creating mindset and behavioural changes towards the girl child
by informing, influencing, motivating, engaging, and empowering various stakeholders. To
address this, Ministry has developed an operational manual which inter-alia includes a
thematic calendar for suggested convergence activities at district level with month wisespecific themes for holistic development of the Girl Child and to ensure year-round
engagement of girls, their families and communities.
For effective implementation, funds are released on the basis of Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB)
status of districts as on 2020-21 (as per HMIS data of Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare). The financial assistance is provided to the districts with SRB less than or equal to
918 is Rs.40 Lakh per year, the districts with SRB from 919 to 952 is Rs. 30 lakhs per year
and the districts having SRB more than 952 is Rs. 20 lakh per year respectively.
The States/UTs have been authorised to utilize upto 25% of the total allocation for
advertisements and media advocacy under BBBP scheme using a whole-of-
government/convergent approach.
Further, States/UTs can use the fund for implementation of the scheme activities in the
following manner:
i. directly through the districts, or
ii. partially through the districts with the rest being managed by the State/UT, or
iii. directly through the State/UT on behalf of the districts, depending on the specific
needs of the State/UT
BBBP has transformed from a policy initiative into a national movement by mobilizing
various stakeholders, including government agencies, media, civil society, and the public at
large. This movement aims not only to address immediate concerns related to sex ratio and
gender-based discrimination but also to foster a cultural shift towards valuing the girl child
and ensuring her rights and opportunities.
The details of fund released under BBBP to the State of Bihar during last three years and
current year are at Annexure.
The Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK) Scheme was approved in November, 2017 as a
centrally sponsored scheme to empower rural women through community participation. A
third party evaluation study of MSK scheme was conducted by NITI Aayog in 2020. Taking
into account the findings of the evaluation and after consultation with States/ UTs and
stakeholders, the scheme was discontinued with effect from 01.04.2022.
*****Annexure
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN THE REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) OF THE LOK SABHA
UN-STARRED QUESTION NO. 1124 FOR ANSWER ON 25.07.2025 REGARDING
“MAHILA SHAKTI KENDRA” RAISED BY SHRI ABHAY KUMAR SINHA
The details of fund released under BBBP to the State of Bihar during last three years and
current year
Funds released (Rs. in Lakhs)
2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
(through SNA SPARSH)
660.00 0.00 322.5 645.0
*****