Panaji, July 6 (IBNS) Goa BJP’s one of the most expensive election promises ‘Laadli Laxmi’ scheme was launched on Friday aiming at arresting the declining female sex ratio in the State.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar after launching Rs 150-crore scheme at a formal function at the Secretariat said the scheme will ensure that a girl child is not a burden for parents during her marriage.

“This scheme will address the undesirable tendency of female foeticides and thus helping to arrest the declining female sex ratio in the state,” he said. The state will provide Rs one lakh each under the scheme for marriage expenses.

The chief minister clarified that the scheme should not be construed or misunderstood as an encouragement to dowry practices.

Explaining the eligibility criteria, Parrikar said a girl, born in Goa and is aged between 18 and 40 years will benefit the scheme while also she should have at least one of her parents born in Goa and both – girl and parents are residents for the last 15 years.

In case, the girl is not born in Goa, besides being a resident of Goa for 15 years, she also should be educated here. So also, if the parents are not born in Goa, at least one of the parents should be residing in Goa for more than 25 years.

“It is a onetime benefit. It cannot be reused if you are married again after availing the scheme earlier. Now don’t divorce to get the benefit,” he grinned.

Parrikar said only civil marriage registrations done in Goa on or after April 1, 2012 are eligible for the benefit. He further said that the government is in talks with five banks, of which two banks will be chosen to operate under the scheme.

There is no need for a beneficiary to open a new bank account as money - in the name of the Director of Women and Child Welfare department and the beneficiary - can be withdrawn by submitting the documents.

The papers will be counter signed by a local MLA and the WCD Director only after which the money can be withdrawn.

(Reporting by John Edwards)