Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) Schemes- A Significant Step towards Prevention of the Crime of Female Infanticide in India

Infanticide in India is age old practice which is prevailing in India and if we look at the historical aspect of this particular problem, we will find that the first instance of infanticide was recorded in the British regime among the Rajputana Clan. Foeticide and infanticide are crimes where the victim is generally a girl child and these crimes are a grave attack on her human right to live a dignified life. In India under the provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 infanticide is considered as a punishable offence. But apart from IPC, no specific legislation is available till now for prevention of the commission of infanticide. Conditional cash transfer schemes are some initiatives taken by the central as well as by the state governments to provide financial assistance to the girl child and their parents upon fulfillment of the conditions specified under the schemes. As in India dowry is considered as one of the major reasons for commission of the crime of infanticide, these conditional cash transfer schemes can provide relief to the parents and the girl child to a greater extent.