West Bengal govt. to set up Kanyashree University in Nadia district to empower girls

The state government of West Bengal is setting up Kanyashree University in Nadia district and Kanyashree colleges across the state so as to empower girls. The Kanyashree university would be only for women.

Earlier in January 2019, the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee laid the foundation stone of new Kanyashree university at Krishnagar in Nadia district.

About Kanyashree scheme

Background: The Kanyashree scheme was started by state government to empower girls in 2013. In 2017, the Kanyashree scheme won the first prize in UN award and the state government was awarded by United Nations for Public Service for its Kanyashree scheme. So far the scheme has been allocated a budget of Rs 7,000 crore and has empowered over 60 lakh girl students.

Objective:

• To ensure that girls study in schools and delay their marriages until they attain 18 years of age.
• To empower girls from school to university level so that they can become independent women.
• To improve the status and well-being of girls, particularly those from socio- economically disadvantaged families through conditional cash transfers.

Cash transfer components of Scheme–

An annual incentive of Rs.750 is given to girls in age group 13 to 18 years and studying in Class 8 for every year till they continue their education, the only condition being that they are unmarried at the time.

One-time grant of Rs.25,000 is also given to girls once they attain 18 years of age, provided they are engaged in an academic/occupational pursuit and unmarried.

Month: Current Affairs - October, 2019