Location

Marshall University

Start Date

9-11-2018 1:00 PM

End Date

9-11-2018 1:20 PM

Description

This paper examines the impact of a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program on girls’ early childhood survival in India. With a view to improve sex ratios and alleviate the status of girls, the Government of India launched the Dhan Lakshmi financial incentive scheme in 2008 in select districts of seven states. The program offers financial benefits to parents for raising daughters. Using district-level data from a large household survey, we analyze the program’s effect on sex ratios in the state of Punjab, which reports one of the most skewed sex ratios in the country. Results indicate a positive impact of the CCT in the state, particularly, in raising the share of girls at birth. The paper discusses the plausible explanations for the observed decline in prenatal sex selection.

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Nov 9th, 1:00 PM Nov 9th, 1:20 PM

Conditional Cash Transfer and Girl Child Survival in India

Marshall University

This paper examines the impact of a conditional cash transfer (CCT) program on girls’ early childhood survival in India. With a view to improve sex ratios and alleviate the status of girls, the Government of India launched the Dhan Lakshmi financial incentive scheme in 2008 in select districts of seven states. The program offers financial benefits to parents for raising daughters. Using district-level data from a large household survey, we analyze the program’s effect on sex ratios in the state of Punjab, which reports one of the most skewed sex ratios in the country. Results indicate a positive impact of the CCT in the state, particularly, in raising the share of girls at birth. The paper discusses the plausible explanations for the observed decline in prenatal sex selection.