Maheshwari community to reward couples with three or more children

: While the central and state governments are putting all their effort into population control, a social organisation of the Maheshwari community here has announced a ‘reward’ for families with three or more children.

The central Rajasthan wing of Maheshwari community announced it would gift a fixed deposit (FD) of ₹50,000 to each couple that has a 3rd child in Ajmer, Nagour, Swai Madhopur and Tonk, which come under its influence.

If a fourth child is born, it would be gifted an FD of ₹1 lakh, and the fifth child one of ₹2 lakh.

Kesri Chand Taparia, president of the Maheshwari Samaj (central Rajasthan) said, “The decision was taken unanimously in our working committee meeting held on April 15 in Kekri.”

He cited several reasons for a decline in the population of the community, including late marriages, gender imbalance and social awareness, adding “We are afraid, if it continues, we will be soon an extinct community like Parsis.”

According to members of the organisation, Maheshwari families are shrinking fastest among Indian communities, and if efforts are not made, their social structure will vanish in the coming years.

Chairman of Akhil Bhartvarshiya Maheshwari Samaj, Shyam Sundar Soni told HT: “There are 42% girls against 58% boys in our community. The numbers are falling every year since last 15 years.”

The community is also conducting an economical survey along with community census to evaluate the ground reality. The woman wing of community also runs a scheme to save girl child by giving ₹50,000 on if the third child born is a girl.

The Akhil Bharatiya Maheshwari Seva Sadan, head-quartered at Pushkar, felicitated 44 girls recently to give a message to encourage the birth of girl children.

In Bikaner, the organisation has launched a special privilege card for the community members to provide them discounts in shopping, education and medical facilities. The organisation has issued more than 13,000 cards across the state.

BIKANER