Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday celebrated the 12th anniversary of the Kanyashree scheme, highlighting its impact on women’s empowerment in the state. According to the CM, over 93 lakh women have benefited from the initiative, which has received widespread recognition both nationally and internationally.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Banerjee said her government has spent more than Rs 17,000 crore over the past 12 years to support women through the scheme. “Today is Kanyashree Day. Many congratulations to all the Kanyashree women across Bengal, the country, and the world. I don’t think any other government project has had such a big impact on women’s empowerment in such a short time! That’s why it is so popular globally – it even won the United Nations Public Service Award, ranking first among 552 projects from 62 countries,” she said.
The Kanyashree Prakalpa is a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme designed to prevent child marriage and encourage girls to continue their education. In 2017, the project earned the UN’s top award for Public Service, becoming the first Indian initiative to achieve this recognition.
Mamata Banerjee emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment for society’s overall development. “A society where women are not well off can never be well off. Empowerment of women is necessary for the development of society. I am proud that today there are more than 93 lakh ‘Kanyashree women’ in our state. Seventeen and a half thousand crore rupees have been distributed under this project. We don’t just talk about women’s empowerment. We do it,” she added.
Concluding her message, the Chief Minister encouraged young women to pursue their ambitions and contribute to the growth of the state and nation. “I would like to tell all the Kanyashree women to grow in life and make the face of the country and the state shine. You will one day build a world Bengal. You will wear the crown of respect on your heads in the world,” she said.
