Abstract

Gender disparity remains a significant challenge in Karnataka, as evidenced by declining sex ratios at birth. In response, the state introduced the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme (BL) in 2006-07, offering conditional cash transfers to girl children in Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. This report is part of the study conducted by CBPS to evaluate the effectiveness of the BL scheme and propose strategies for enhancing girls’ empowerment. Through a comprehensive evaluation encompassing administrative, procedural, and impact analysis, this study uncovers critical insights. Findings reveal fluctuations in scheme enrollment and exclusions due to documentation challenges. Despite the scheme’s intent to address gender-based issues such as female foeticide and child marriage, its impact remains limited.

To address these shortcomings, the report presents three re-design models. Emphasising empowerment alongside cash transfers, these models advocate for tailored interventions to foster sustainable change. Recommendations include incorporating empowerment programs, strengthening public services, and redefining eligibility criteria and conditionalities. Moreover, the study underscores the need to address structural barriers hindering girls’ education and mobility. While cash transfers augment household economic capacity, they fall short in dismantling systemic obstacles to gender equality. Thus, the report advocates for a paradigm shift towards creating empowering environments where girls can shape their own futures. It emphasises the importance of empowerment initiatives over mere financial incentives, urging stakeholders to prioritise girls’ agency and rights. This underscores the collaborative effort required to advance gender equality and empower girls in Karnataka.

CBPS. (2019). Whose Fate and Whose Wealth? An Analysis of the Bhagyalakshmi Scheme in Karnataka- Suggestions for Creating New Pathways to Empowerment of Girls. Centre for Budget and Policy Studies.