Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday, 22 January, took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleging that his favourite 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (BBBP) campaign is nothing but an advertisement spree to save himself.
"Modi Bachao, Advertisement Chalao," Gandhi said on Twitter, sharing the link of The Quint’s report on the scheme.
What Does the Report Say?
The report cited official data to claim that Modi's pet project, launched on 22 January 2015, but four years later, figures show that its main aim has been publicity, with over 56 percent of the funds allocated under the scheme spent on "media-related activities".
“Four years later, data released by the government shows that its main aim has been publicity. Over 56 percent of the funds allocated under the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ scheme from 2014-15 to 2018-19, were spent on “media related activities”. In contrast to this, less than 25 percent of the funds were disbursed to districts and states. Over 19 percent of the funds weren’t released by the government in the first place.”The Quint’s Report
‘Another Publicity Jumla’: Supriya Sule
The Congress president was not the only one to raise questions about the impact of the scheme.
Nationalist Congress Party leader and Member of Parliament Supriya Sule said that the BBBP campaign was nothing but a ‘publicity stunt.’
‘Prime Minister or Publicity Minister?’: Priyanka Chaturvedi
Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi also took a swipe at the prime minister saying that he boasted of 56 inches in 2014, but he turned out to be a 56-inch ‘publicity minister.’
‘Shocked & Saddened by This’: Karuna Nundy
From senior lawyer Karuna Nundy to activist Umar Khalid, people took to social media to question why 56 percent of funds was used for publicity.
PIB Issues Clarification, Says Mass Awareness ‘Primary Goal’
The Press Information Bureau on Tuesday, 22 January, issued a clarification on behalf of the Women and Child Development Ministry stating that the primary goal of the scheme was also to create national mass awareness and sensitise people about the “unabated declining number of girls.”
The statement also added how 405 districts have been selected across India where “related innovative ideas” are being carried out.
“The primary and main goal of the scheme is to create massive National mass awareness and sensitization on the gravity of this unabated declining number of girls through Nation-wide 360 degree media campaign outreach. Side by side, related innovative activities in huge numbers are being carried out in 405 selected BBBP districts across the country under the active leadership...”PIB Statement
The statement also claimed that the “happy outcome” of the scheme is the huge awareness it has created, taking the message of BBBP to “every nook and corner.”
“The scheme has triggered off unprecedented deliberations and introspection among the people, which is resulting in positive change of age old mindsets of the society towards girl child.”PIB Statement
In response to the PIB release, the All India Mahila Congress claimed the government’s claim in the press release was “in direct contradiction” with what was admitted in the Parliament.
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