DDS

The scheme aims at “Saving girls” as the primary objective and to improve the Sex Ratio at birth. Through this scheme, money is deposited in the name of the girl child under the LIC Single Premium Endowment Plan for the first two living girl children.

The scheme “Dikri Development Scheme” has been launched by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu. It aims at “Saving girls” as its primary objective. Through this scheme, an amount inclusive of all taxes is deposited in the Life Insurance Corporation of India under the Single Premium Endowment Plan (No. 917) in the name of the girl child for the first two living girl issues of the couple. The money will be deposited in the name of the girl child, and on attaining the age of 18 years, the child can utilize the money for her welfare. The delivery should be carried out at Government / registered private hospitals of the U.T. of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, and the application should be submitted within three months from the date of delivery.

> Objectives

• Improve the Sex Ratio at birth: The scheme envisages no female foeticide in the districts of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu. For the said vision, the UT Administration deposits a sum in the name of the girl child, which she can utilize for her higher education or social obligations like marriage. The financial support that the UT provides is a drop in the ocean when it comes to saving girls when we talk about the entire nation. The Administration, in its quest to save the girls of this territory, has undertaken this noble cause on its shoulders and has been sustaining the scheme for over a decade now. The Sex Ratio, which used to be around 920 in DNH & 904 in Daman & Diu (Census 2011) which has improved and has touched 930 now (CRS) which in itself is a feat. But to maintain and bring the sex ratio to 950, the scheme is proposed to be continued in the coming years too. 1. Promote Institutional Deliveries: The criteria for availing the policy/ scheme ensure that the delivery takes place in an Institution/Hospital/Nursing Home, which automatically ensures promotion of Institutional Delivery, which has risen from 80% to 99% over the last 12 years. The scheme also aims at bringing the Maternal Mortality to Zero and Infant Mortality to a single digit number. 1. Reduction in Maternal Mortality, Infant Mortality: The eligibility criteria include the age to be 18 years complete, which prevents teenage pregnancies and allows the mother and the child to have a healthy growth & discourages early marriages. The premature births are seen to be low in the age group of 18 years. 1. Increased uptake of family planning services: The delay in pregnancy till the mother is 18 years helps in preventing early pregnancy and thus increases the usage of contraceptives, which in turn helps in improving the Total Fertility Rate. Also, the criteria of only the first two girl children shall get the benefit of the scheme, which also helps in controlling the size of the family.

• Either of the applicant's parents should be a domicile of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu.
• The applicant's mother must be of above 18 years old at the time of marriage.
• The applicant delivery shall be carried out at Government / registered private hospitals of the U.T. of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu.
• The applicant's expected mother must have undergone at least 3 Antenatal Checkups as per the Reproductive and Child Health scheme to be duly certified by the concerned Auxiliary Nurse Midwife / Field Health functionary of the respective sub-centre, and in case of high-risk patients, the number of antenatal checkups may be as recommended by a gynaecologist.
• The applicant's expected mother is registered under the Mother & Child Tracking System, and an ID has been generated.
• The applicant will be eligible for the first two girl children who are among the first two living children that the couple has.

> Financial Benefit

• An LIC is purchased from the Life Insurance Corporation named as Single Premium Endowment Plan (No. 917) in the name of the girl child of sum amount of ₹42,372/- (inclusive of all taxes).
• Amount will be given to the first two girl children who are among the first two living issues that the couple has.
• On attaining the age of 18 years, the child can utilize the money for her welfare.
• However, in case of life threatening condition of the girl child, money can be withdrawn at any time for the treatment of the girl child with a certificate of life-threatening condition issued by the Medical Board of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu.

> Mode of Disbursement

• PFMS DBT MODE.
• An authorized Officer shall draw the said amount on a Hand Receipt Bill and pay directly to the LIC authorities (through PFMS) for the issuance of policies under Single Premium Endowment Plan No. 917 for a premium amount of ₹42,372/- per beneficiary.
• The disbursement of benefits shall be made after obtaining approval of the Competent Authority.

> Nature of Assistance

• Mode of Delivery – Kind.
• Duration of Disbursement – Recurring.

• Under the scheme, if a girl child dies within 10 years of age, then no money will be paid to the legal parents/ guardian. But if the girl child dies after 10 years of age, then the maturity amount will be paid to her legal parents/ guardians.