Dikri Development Scheme-DNH&DD

The scheme “Dikri Development Scheme” has been launched by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, U.T. Administration of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu. It aims at “Saving girls” as its primary objective. Through this scheme, an amount inclusive of all taxes is deposited in the Life Insurance Corporation of India under the Single Premium Endowment Plan (No. 917) in the name of the girl child for the first two living girl issues of the couple. The money will be deposited in the name of the girl child, and on attaining the age of 18 years, the child can utilize the money for her welfare. The delivery should be carried out at Government / registered private hospitals of the U.T. of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu, and the application should be submitted within three months from the date of delivery. > Objectives 1. Improve the Sex Ratio at birth: The scheme envisages no female foeticide in the districts of Dadra & Nagar Haveli & Daman & Diu. For the said vision, the UT Administration deposits a sum in the name of the girl child, which she can utilize for her higher education or social obligations like marriage. The financial support that the UT provides is a drop in the ocean when it comes to saving girls when we talk about the entire nation. The Administration, in its quest to save the girls of this territory, has undertaken this noble cause on its shoulders and has been sustaining the scheme for over a decade now. The Sex Ratio, which used to be around 920 in DNH & 904 in Daman & Diu (Census 2011) which has improved and has touched 930 now (CRS) which in itself is a feat. But to maintain and bring the sex ratio to 950, the scheme is proposed to be continued in the coming years too. 1. Promote Institutional Deliveries: The criteria for availing the policy/ scheme ensure that the delivery takes place in an Institution/Hospital/Nursing Home, which automatically ensures promotion of Institutional Delivery, which has risen from 80% to 99% over the last 12 years. The scheme also aims at bringing the Maternal Mortality to Zero and Infant Mortality to a single digit number. 1. Reduction in Maternal Mortality, Infant Mortality: The eligibility criteria include the age to be 18 years complete, which prevents teenage pregnancies and allows the mother and the child to have a healthy growth & discourages early marriages. The premature births are seen to be low in the age group of 18 years. 1. Increased uptake of family planning services: The delay in pregnancy till the mother is 18 years helps in preventing early pregnancy and thus increases the usage of contraceptives, which in turn helps in improving the Total Fertility Rate. Also, the criteria of only the first two girl children shall get the benefit of the scheme, which also helps in controlling the size of the family.