Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday launched a special scheme for the well-being and overall empowerment of adolescent girls. The scheme has been launched as a pilot project in 200 most backward districts.
‘Sabla' or the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Adolescent Girls' would be launched in 22 districts of Uttar Pradesh, 15 in Madhya Pradesh, 12 each in Bihar and Sikkim, 11 in Maharashtra, and 10 in Rajasthan.
To be based on the Integrated Child Development Services platform, the scheme would address the nutritional and special training aspects of girls aged 11-18.
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Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath said she was sure it would be universal later. An integrated package of services will be provided to adolescent girls. It includes nutrition provision of 600 calories and 18-20 grams of protein and micronutrients, at a rate of Rs. 5 a beneficiary a day for 300 days a year.