On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offered a gift to the daughters of the state by announcing an increase in the amount of the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangla Yojana by Rs 10,000.

While interacting with the beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala scheme at Lok Bhavan on Wednesday, the chief minister said that the double-engine government was going to increase the amount of the Kanya Sumangala scheme from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000 from the financial year 2024-2025.

“This will make it easier for the daughters of the state to fulfill their dreams and become self-reliant along with being educated,” he said.

In the programme, the chief minister said that initially, under this scheme, a package of Rs 15,000 was given in six phases.

“Starting next year, as soon as a daughter is born, a sum of Rs 5,000 will be transferred to her parents’ account. Similarly, when the daughter turns one year old, Rs 2,000 will be transferred to their accounts,” he said.

“After that, Rs 3,000 each will be transferred to the parents’ account when their daughter enters Grade I and Grade 6, respectively. Upon entering the ninth grade, Rs 5,000 will be transferred. If the daughter pursues a graduation, diploma or certificate course, an amount of Rs 7,000 will be transferred to her account,” he added.

Furthermore, the chief minister stated that today, 16.24 lakh daughters were being benefited in the state through this scheme.

He said, “Today is a very important day in the direction of taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao programme to a new height. The double-engine government believes that there should not be any discrimination with daughters. She should get security, protection and opportunities to move forward in her life.”

Chief Minister Yogi said that all the underprivileged sisters of the state would be covered under all the schemes of the government, including the ration card and the Ayushman Bharat Yojana.

As part of the programme, a few beneficiaries of the Kanya Sumangala scheme tied rakhi to Chief Minister Yogi. In return, the chief minister offered gifts and assured them of continued protection.

During the programme, the chief minister transferred a sum of Rs 5.82 crore to the accounts of 29,523 beneficiary girls. He also distributed cheques to ten beneficiary girls and their parents.

Ratna Mishra, one of the beneficiaries, expressed that the scheme has facilitated her education. She said that this had boosted her self-confidence, and now she would be able to fulfill her dreams because of the chief minister.

While thanking the chief minister, Akshara Kushwaha, a student of class 10, said that this scheme had brought a significant change in the lives of economically disadvantaged girls like her. She mentioned that she was able to study and move forward with other children step by step through this scheme.

Shivanshi Vishwakarma, a 12th grade student at Kasturba Kanya Inter College, introduced herself to the chief minister in Sanskrit. She also melodiously sang a Sanskrit song, evoking sentiments of patriotism and culture, thereby instilling a sense of nationalism among the attendees. She also shared her aspiration to study and fulfill her dream of becoming a teacher through this scheme.

In the programme, Minister of Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Baby Rani Maurya, Minister of State for Women Welfare, Child Development and Nutrition, Pratibha Shukla, and other dignitaries were present.