Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao officially comes to West Bengal

West Bengal was formally adopting the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme in Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Friday. The previous Mamata Banerjee Government had refused to implement the scheme in the State.

“The previous Government had repeatedly stalled the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao project so conceived by our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji… now we will implement this scheme in the State to ensure an all-round futuristic development of our girls.

Adhikari’s statement came on a day when the previous flagship Kanya Shree project of the former Trinamool Congress Government was replaced by the Kanyaratna scheme launched by the BJP regime.

Under the Kanyaratna scheme, a girl child would be entitled to receive Rs 2,000 from next year, up from the earlier 1,000 rupees.

Besides, the girl students would also get a one-time grant of Rs 50,000 for higher studies. This was Rs 25,000 during the previous Government. Adhikari said that the girl students who would score more than 60 per cent marks in Class XII exams would get a scholarship under the existing Swami Vivekananda Scheme. Besides, a new scheme was also launched after Swami Vivekananda that would entitle students to get an additional grant for higher studies at the national level or even abroad.

“Girls are our assets and our government will provide them with all possible support they deserve for their future development,” Adhikari said, adding 20.13 lakh schoolgirls will receive the Rs 1,000 assistance this year for which the Government had earmarked Rs 400 crore. Both the number of recipients and the amount would increase form the next year.

A dedicated helpline, 181, was also launched for schoolgirls to access assistance and information.

He also said that the Government had decided to ensure that no girl student dropped out from pursuing higher studies for lack of funds, for which “we have presently earmarked Rs 100 crore for those who go abroad or in other parts of the country for higher studies, including studying medical.”