Haryana to set up 'Kanya Kosh' for first girl child

PANIPAT: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today said a 'Haryana Kanya Kosh' would be set up to provide financial assistance on the birth of first girl child.

The girl child belonging to the families of poor and Scheduled Castes will be provided financial assistance from this fund.

He was speaking at the launch of national programme 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the safety and education of girl child at Panipat.

Khattar said that earlier financial assistance was provided on the birth of second daughter under Ladli scheme.

"Now, the scope of this scheme has been widened and the first daughter would also be covered under it. A sum of Rs 21,000 would be deposited at the birth of the first girl child. This amount would increase to Rs one lakh after the girl attains the age of 18 years," he said.

Expressing his concern on literacy rate of women, Khattar said that at present the women's literacy rate in Haryana is 65.4 per cent and sincere efforts would be made to bring a significant improvement in it.

He said girls would be provided scholarships on the basis of their capabilities.

On malnutrition among mothers and children, he said that the government would review the previous nutrition policy and draft a new State Nutrition Mission on the pattern of National Health Mission.

He said that the Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) in Haryana is 41 per cent and all out efforts would be made to reduce it and this target could be easily achieved in case the region is declared as Empowered Action Group.

Khattar also said that 'Make in Haryana' is our agenda on the pattern of Make in India.

Haryana has achieved hundred per cent target under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and that 'Vidhayak Adarsh Gram Yojana' and 'Adhikari Adarsh Gram Yojana' is being implemented in the state emulating the Centre's 'Saansad Gram Yojana'.

He said that we are committed towards 'Swach Bharat Swach Haryana Abhiyan' and toilets especially for girls would be constructed in all the schools under this scheme.

To promote girls' education, scholarship on meritorious basis would be given.

He said that by 2016, all schools would be equipped with desks and chairs to ensure that no child has to sit on floor to get education.