New Delhi, March 21 (IANS): Issuing a stern warning against spurious schemes being floated in the name of 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' scheme, the central government has advised people against falling into the trap of such frauds.

"It has come to our notice that certain unauthorised sites, organisations, NGOs, and individuals are distributing illegal forms in the name of cash incentive under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) scheme," the Union Women and Child Development Ministry said in a statement here on Tuesday.

"It is a completely nonexistent thing in the ministry. It appears to us that people are being charged for these forms. The police are investigating the matter," an official from the ministry told IANS.

"Even if they are not being charged, people should report to the police. Why should they share any sensitive information about a girl child with anyone, who is running something unauthorised in the name of this scheme," he said.

The ministry has taken up this matter with the government authorities of states, namely in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Bihar.

"However, it has come to our notice that the fraud in the name of BBBP is taking place in Delhi also. The matter has been reported from different parts of Delhi, particularly in Tikri, Bhatti Khurd, Dakshinpuri Extension, Sangam Vihar, Sanjay Colony, Sarita Vihar, Adarsh Nagar and JJ Colony," the statement said.

It pointed out that the scheme has no provision for individual cash transfer by the government.

It said that the scheme's focus is on issues of women's empowerment over a life cycle continuum. It is not a DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme.

"BBBP focuses on challenging mindsets and deep rooted patriarchy in the societal system, strict enforcement of Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act that was enacted in 1994 to stop female foeticides and arrest the declining sex ratio in India," the ministry stated.

It emphasised that the fraud being perpetuated in name of the scheme is a very serious matter. "If any such incident comes to your knowledge, please report it to the nearest police station and the concerned district collector or district magistrate."

The ministry has advised that no personal details should be shared in this regard and no one should subscribe to such "fraudulent scheme".

The case has also been referred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), keeping in view the public interest and gravity of the matter.