Proud CM recalls success of Kanyashree on Int'l Day of Girl Child

Kolkata: The state government has empowered more than 50 lakh girls through Kanyashree Prakalpa.

In a tweet on International Day of the Girl Child, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated: "Today is International Day of the Girl Child. I am happy to share that our #Kanyashree Prakalpa for girl child had been feted by the @UN in 2017."

She stated further in the tweet that "More than 50 lakh girls have been empowered through this scheme, which has a budget of Rs 5,600+ crore. Best wishes to all #BiswaBangla."

It may be mentioned that Kanyashree Prakalpa is the brainchild of the Chief Minister. She took the step to check school dropout rate and encouraged girls to continue with their higher studies as well.

The scheme has been continuing successfully for the past five years. The Mamata Banerjee government has received the United Nations Public Service Award for Asia Pacific in Netherlands in 2017, for the Kanyashree Prakalpa.

The project was introduced in 2013 and more than 50 lakh girl students were brought under the project. Students from Classes VIII to XII get Rs 1,000 every year under the KI part of the scheme. The K2 part of Kanyashree Prkalpa is the one-time grant of Rs 25,000 for students who continue their studies up to Class XII. Later, the K3 part was introduced for post-graduate students. Under the K3 part of the scheme, arts and commerce students get Rs 2,000 per year, while science students get Rs 2,500.

It may be mentioned that on completion of the fifth year of Kanyashree Prakalpa, the Chief Minister had announced that girls from all strata of the society will be getting the benefit once they get promoted to Class VIII. Earlier, only girl students from families with annual income less than Rs 1.20 lakh used to get the benefit.

At the same time, the state government has also taken the initiative to set up Kanyashree University. Moreover, the Chief Minister has also given direction to take steps for skill development of Kanyashree girls.

The initiative taken by the state government has not only checked the school dropout rate, but has also helped the beneficiaries to be self-dependent. A large section of the beneficiaries of Kanyashree Prakalpa has utilised the one-time grant to become self-dependent.