Kanyashree off the blocks - Mamata Banerjee rolled out her pet Kanyashree scheme at a programme in Netaji Indoor Stadium on Tuesday

6 kanyas: (From left) Actresses Koel Mallick, June, Indrani Halder, Subhasree and singers Antara
Chowdhury and Jojo with Mamata at the programme in Netaji Indoor Stadium 

Ed: In a move that may go a long way in preventing child marriage, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday launched her signature Kanyasharee scheme, which promises a cash dole to girls from poor families, but with two conditions attached — they should pursue education and must not be married off till the age of 18 years. 
The scheme assures an annual scholarship of Rs 500 to the girls and a one-time payment of Rs 25,000 to her family. The scheme will be available to families whose annual income is less than Rs 1.2 lakh, but this condition will be waived off for the disabled students and inmates of the Juvenile Justice home.
TT, 1 October 2013: 
THE SCHEME

Girls with annual family income of less than Rs 1.2 lakh will get Rs 500 a year between Classes VIII and XII. Those who continue with their studies after Class XII will get a one-time assistance of Rs 25,000 if they remain unmarried till 18 years.

TODAY

At a star-studded programme, Mamata gave Rs 25,000 each to 280 girl students. Scholarships of Rs 500 each were transferred to the bank accounts of 9,784 students between Classes VIII and XII. On the stage, the beneficiaries received gifts from the chief minister.

SOLO SCRIPT

“Katha amaar, logo amaar (I penned the lyrics and designed the logo),” Mamata said, taking credit for the campaign that features Tolly stars such as Prosenjit and Koel Mallick.

The government has launched an audio-visual campaign to popularise the scheme.

PAT TIME

The chief minister lauded chief secretary Sanjay Mitra for conceiving Kanyashree.

“This was the chief secretary’s idea…. He suggested the scheme in a meeting…. He worked very hard and helped a lot in implementing the project,” Mamata said.

Amit Mitra

THE SPEAKERS

The star speakers included Prosenjit, Koel, Subhasree, June, Indrani Halder, Rachana Banerjee, Antara Chowdhury and Jojo.

“She (Mamata) had prepared a list of speakers as she wanted everyone to know about the involvement of the stars.... All of them spoke,” an official said.

TARGET FOR FM

Mamata told finance minister Amit Mitra to somehow arrange for funds for Kanyashree. The emphasis with which she set a target of Rs 1,000 crore for the former Ficci secretary-general was willy-nilly an admission that getting funds for her populist projects was becoming difficult.

“When finance minister Amit Mitra was told about the scheme, he said from where will the money come... the Centre is taking away everything… I said you have to get funds. Aapnaar taka jogar korar dayitwa, amaar ba chief secretary’r noy (It is your responsibility to get the funds, not mine or the chief secretary’s),” Mamata said.

SURPRISE OF SURPRISES

Priyanka

Baisakhi

Satabdi Roy, who was showcaused for anti-party statements and spared after she apologised, was among those felicitated by the chief minister.

STUDENTSPEAK

Name: Priyanka Khan, Class IX madarsa student

What she said: The scholarship will help students like me to continue with studies. I hope the government will improve the condition of the madarsas.

Name: Baisakhi Mandal, a Class X student

What she said: My mother is a daily labourer and it is difficult for me to continue with my studies. The scholarship will be of help.

REPORTING BY ARNAB GANGULY, PICTURES BY PRADIP SANYAL