Patna, (BiharTimes): A Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) has been signed by the state government, Unit
Trust of India and Women’s Development Corporation for
the implementation of the Mukhya Mantri Kanya Suraksha
Yojna (Girls’ Protection Scheme).
Speaking on the occasion on Saturday the chief
minister, Nitish Kumar, said, that the scheme should
be viewed in context of the continued efforts to
empower women in Bihar. He said under this scheme,
more than 1.21 crore BPL families will be benefited
and the future of at least seven lakh poor girls would
be brightened every year.
The chief minister said Bihar has shown the path to
other states as far as empowerment of women is
concerned by according 50 per cent reservation to them
in the local bodies’ election and in the appointment
of teachers. He hoped that the efforts initiated by
the state government would soon bear fruit and it
would make a difference in the society.
However, he expressing concern over the imbalance in
the gender ratio. The chief minister felt that this
scheme might also help check female foeticide and
accelerate the birth registration process. The scheme
had been approved by the cabinet on the eve of the
completion of two years of the Nitish Kumar government
in November last.
The responsibility for the implementation of the
scheme has jointly been entrusted to the welfare
department, UTI and WDC. The agreement was signed
by principal secretary, welfare, Vijay Prakash and
chairman-cum-managing director of UTI Asset Management
Company, U K Sinha.
Rupees 2,000 will be deposited under UTI’s Children
Career Balanced Programme in favour of each girl child
born in a BPL family on or after November 22, 2007,
that is, the day this scheme was vetted by the state
cabinet. This benefit will be limited to a maximum of
two girl children per family. The amount will be
invested by the WDC on behalf of the state government
and the fund has been provided to it.
After the girl completes 18 years the amount equal to
the maturity value––it will be around Rs 18,000––paid
to the girl child. In case of her death before
reaching 18 the amount will be paid back to WDC. The
birth of the girl child should be registered within 21
days and the family can apply for this benefit within
three yearsof birth.
