Laadli forms go missing from child welfare dept -Governance Now

Laadli forms go missing from child welfare dept

Delhi govt fails to respond on RTI order on issue even after six weeks

Tanvi Nalin | July 4, 2011

The Delhi government has to contend with embarassment as 101 applications for benefits under the Laadli scheme have gone missing from the office of the department of women and child welfare (DWCD). The forms had been submitted by parents of girls in 2008 at authorised branches of the State bank of India (SBI) when the scheme was launched.

Even after three years, the beneficiaries are yet to hear from the government. Now, a series of RTI queries has revealed that the DWCD callousness in handling of the forms. Activist D N Shrivastava filed a query with DWCD and was told by the district office (South) that the forms had not been received by them. Shrivastava then filed another query seeking information on the issue from the Defence Colony branch of SBI, where the forms had been submitted. In reply, the bank sent a copy of a document that establishes the fact that it had sent the forms to DWCD and the latter had received them - contradicting the government department's claims.

This prompted Srivastava to file an appeal with the director of DWCD, Rajiv Kale, who is the first appellate authority in DWCD. After hearing both the parties – the appellant and the PIO – on April 27, the director DWCD issued an order on May 4 which stated that the PIO South, DWCD “shall enquire into the matter and submit the status report within seven days” after the issue of the said order. But six weeks have passed since the order was issued and the appellant has not received any communication from the office.

The Delhi government launched the Laadli scheme in January 2008 for the protection of the girl child against discrimination. It offers a monetary incentive to girl children, in a bid to promote their education - at least upto pre-college level. Under the scheme, the government makes annual payments towards a fixed deposit in the name of the girl child. This deposit, along with interest earned, can be collected once the girl reaches 18 years of age. is made in the name of thge girl child.A girl child can earn upto Rs 1 lakh under this scheme.

Copies of a letter of receipt of the forms by the DWCD and DWCD director Kale's order are attached below.

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