Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday launched a Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana for development of girls and also to create awareness to end gender discrimination.
Besides, the CM also dedicated 1,000 new Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in through video conferencing at the State Secretariat here as part Biju birth centenary celebration and completion of 80th year of formation of Odisha State.
“Biju Kanya Ratna Yojana is launched with a focus on health, nutrition and education of our girl child. It will also create awareness to end gender discrimination. Besides, 1000 Anganwadi Centres were also dedicated today. We have a target to provide own buildings to all Anganwadi centres of the state by 2018-19,” said Patnaik.
The scheme would be initially introduced in Angul, Dhenkanal and Ganjam districts for three years from 2016-17.
“The prime objective of the programme is to ensure the survival of the girl children, create a conducive atmosphere for their development and maintain their self respect. Apart from this, this scheme also aims at curbing gender discrimination, sex determination, providing health and nutrition security, ensuring their attendance in schools and apprising the community, the service providers and the individuals of the importance of the girl child,” added Patnaik.
He further said out of 71,306 Anganwadi Centres in Odisha, 31,175 have their own building while construction of 15,650 buildings is underway. “Construction of these buildings is made with the funds of Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) while target has been set to complete the construction work of the remaining 24,481 buildings by 2018-19”, he added.
Among others, Woman and Child Development Minister Usha Devi, Panchayati Raj Minister Arun Sahu and Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi were present.