Mobile app launched on third Kanyashree Divas in state

In a bid to help girl students obtain benefits under the Kanyashree scheme within the shortest possible time after submitting their application, the state government has introduced internet-based platforms on the third Kanyashree Divas.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had inaugurated the project on October 1, 2013, and she declared that August 14 would be celebrated as Kanyashree Divas in the state. The celebrations are being held at all levels across the state, where already 34 lakh girl students have received benefits under the scheme. On Sunday, the third Kanyashree Divas was celebrated.

Amit Mitra, the state finance minister, on Sunday, inaugurated the Kanyashree App and an internet-based facility called Kanyashree Online 4.0. An SMS service was also introduced on Sunday. Sashi Panja, the state women and child development minister was also present at the event.

The cell phone app on Kanyashree scheme will enable a user to know the status of their application. One can also lodge their grievances through the app. At the same time, a user can also view activities and events related to Kanyashree.

Mitra said: “Kanyashree is the dream project of our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the entire world is appreciating the move. During a programme in London, 53 countries had shown their interest in implementing the same scheme in their countries as well. Today is Kanysahree Divas, and on such an auspicious day I would also like to wish all luck to athlete Dipa Karmakar and we all are praying for her success so that she can bring a medal for the country”.

He further added: “The introduction of the cell phone app will help in making the process much faster and applicants will also get a clear picture of the present status of their applications.”

At the beginning of his speech at the programme, Mitra had mistakenly referred to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee as the Prime Minister, which raised a few eyebrows.

The Kanysahree Online 4.0 internet service has been introduced to help students get detailed information related to the scheme and certificates of more than three lakh girls who received the one-time grant of Rs 25,000 was generated online on Sunday itself.

Till date, funds have been directly transferred to the bank accounts of more than seven lakh girls – who received the Rs 25,000 grant – and 31 lakh girls – whose have got the annual scholarship of Rs 750.

Lauding the project, Foroogh Foyouzat, Chief of Field Services, UNICEF India, said: “The initiative is close to my heart. Kanyashree has contributed in reducing the cases of child marriages. It is also helping in reducing the dropout rates in the schools. Educating people is an effective way to reduce child marriage and it will help in taking the country forward.”

This year Nadia has been awarded the best performing district in terms of implementing the project, followed by Birbhum and Kolkata. Bankura and Malda have been given the special prize for better performance. Schools and colleges were also been awarded based on their performances in helping the students get benefits of the scheme. Several girl students who achieved success in different fields apart from academics were also awarded on Sunday. Students whose poems and posters based on the Kanyashree scheme were chosen as the best. were also been awarded on Sunday.