West Bengal government won the United Nation public service award in 2017. West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, received the award from the assistant secretary of united nations today at a ceremony in Hague, Netherlands.
'Kanyashree Prakalpa' of the West Bengal government, which gives direct cash to girl students of the state, was selected for the prize.
West Bengal government, under the scheme, gives Rs 750 to each girl student of the state every year. When they reach the age of 18, they get a one time payment of Rs 25,000 for their higher studies or marriage.
The money is automatically transferred to the recipients’ bank account.
“In the UN award, 552 schemes from 62 countries were nominated. West Bengal government’s Kanyashree scheme stood first,” said a press release of government of West Bengal.
Mamata Banerjee government has spent around $500 million dollar through 16,000 educational institutes rub by the government of West Bengal. Around 40 lakh girl students have benefited because of the schemes.
The release quoted Mamata Banerjee, after receiving the award, "This is a historic moment for people of West Bengal".
