Agartala: To curb female infanticide the Tripura government has declared a special economic package for girl children in the families under below poverty line (BPL) up to 16 years of age in a bid to prevent female foeticide.

Chief Minister Manik Sarkar said, the state government would provide Rs 300 to the mother of a girl child every month for her care and education, and this scheme was effective from June 1, 2009, onwards.

'We will extend the support to the families having a maximum of two girl children. The fund will be transferred to mother soon after her birth to a girl child, on saving accounts of bank or post office,' Mr Sarkar said adding initially about 20,000 families would get the benefit.

He insisted that, the male-female ratio in Tripura had been showing a downward trend and this forced the government to take a slew of initiatives under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

Mr. Sarkar informed that the scheme would help in maintaining gender balance.

Besides, implementation of Dowry Prohibition Act and other relevant laws, grant of equal property rights to girls would also help in this regard, he further informed.