Bengal's 'Kanyashree' initiative given UN recognition

The Hague (Netherlands), June 23 (SURYAA) The West Bengal government's Kanyashree Prakalpa on Friday was awarded the first prize in United Nations Public Service Award for Asia Pacific here.

Out of 552 initiatives from 62 different countries, West Bengal government's intiative - a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at retaining girls in schools and other educational and skill development institutions and preventing child marriage - was chosen the best.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "We are delighted on behalf of our countrymen and the people of Bengal to receive the first prize on @UN Public Service."

She said receiving the first prize from the UN was a huge honour and recognition.

Banerjee also said the importance should be given to the public voice and to the projects that the public likes.

The scheme has already enrolled more than four million adolescent girls and the state government has till date, transferred about $500 million directly to the beneficiaries' bank account.

The scheme is being implemented through 16,000 institutes and schools.

Earlier, Banerjee had also participated at a ministerial conversation at the World Forum.