Kendrapada: There was a slight decline in the sex ratio at birth (SRB) in Odisha from 948 in 2014-15 to 926 in 2023-24, minister of state for women and child development Savitri Thakur told the Rajya Sabha on Friday. However, the figure improved from 918 in 2014-15 to 930 in 2023-24 at the national level, she added.
Responding to a question from MP Debashish Samantaray, the minister said that as per data of the Unified District Information System for Education Plus (UDISE+) of the department of school education and literacy, gross enrolment ratio of girls in schools at the secondary level increased in Odisha from 75.03% in 2014-15 to 80.60% in 2021-22.
Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme was launched on Jan 22, 2015, as a collaborative effort by the ministries of women and child development, education, and health and family welfare. It focuses on preventing gender-biased sex-selective practices, ensuring the survival and protection of the girl child, and promoting their education.
“BBBP is a centrally sponsored scheme with 100% funding by the central govt in all districts across the country under the Sambal vertical of Mission Shakti. Under Mission Shakti, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme has been expanded to cover all districts across the country for multi-sectoral activities, which included all the Odisha districts. Govt of West Bengal is not implementing the BBBP,” added the minister.