Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao to be extended to 61 districts: Maneka

The NDA government's flagship programme 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao', initially launched in 100 districts, will now be extended to 61 more districts owing to its success, Union minster Maneka Gandhi said on Monday.

The Minister for Women and Child Development said the programme has delivered encouraging results, therefore, 61 additional districts will be covered under the initiative.

"Beti Padhao Beti Bacho was the idea of the Prime Minister and it has delivered good results. Girls are now being born and it is a good sign. Now, the government will add 61 more districts in this programme," she said.

The programme launched by PM Narendra Modi at Sonipat last year, seeks to improve the declining child sex ratio by preventing gender-biased sex selection and ensuring "survival, protection and education" of the girl child. "It is a societal change and state governments like MP, Haryana and Rajasthan are taking steps to improve the condition of girl children and create opportunities for them," she said.