Mamata wants ‘Kanyashree’ scheme in school curriculum

The Chief Minister directed the officials of the State Women and Child Development department to ensure that every beneficiary of the scheme be awarded a certificate by the government. File photo

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who never misses an opportunity to highlight her government schemes, on Friday announced that “Kanyashree Prakalpa”, a scholarship scheme for school girls, will be included in schools’ academic syllabus.

“Kanyashree should be a chapter in education subject. Why should it not be? The girls enrolled in the scheme should provide inputs and we will edit it,” Ms Banerjee said at a gathering to observe “Kanyashree Divas’. “Next year, when we celebrate the day, the new syllabus will be unveiled.”

The Chief Minister directed the officials of the State Women and Child Development department to ensure that every beneficiary of the scheme be awarded a certificate by the government. She said that the certificate would help girls in higher education.

Started in 2013, Kanyashree Prakalpa is a conditional cash transfer scheme under the Department of Women Development and Social Welfare which provides incentives to continue with the education of a girl child till they attain 18 years of age.

Under this scheme, two kinds of benefits are extended. Under Kanyashree-1, Rs 750 is provided to girl student every year enrolled between Class VIII to XII and one time grant of Rs.25,000 is given to a student when she attains 18 years of age under the Kanyashree II scheme.

“I am proud of Kanyashree. Girls can now dream because of this scheme,” Ms Banerjee said, adding that she felt that scheme was turning into a social movement.

According to the State government, so far 27 lakh beneficiaries are enrolled in the State. The majority of beneficiaries have benefited from Kanyashree I scheme.

40 lakh cycles for students

With less than a year before the next Assembly polls in West Bengal, Ms Banerjee said that her govt would try to provide bicycles to every student studying between Classes VIII to X.

In the State, we have provided bicycles to about 3-3.5 lakh girl students, the Chief Minister said, adding that she planned to take the number to 40 lakh.

“We are taking up a special project from the State government to distribute cycles to 40 lakh students. This distribution will be to all students, even boys will get it,” Ms Banerjee said.