Speaking after the distribution of sarees among the beneficiaries under the Bhagyalakshmi scheme for the first time in the State in Tumkur City on Thursday he said, “Ever since I became the Chief Minister, I have never slept before 12 in the night. I always wake up at 4 am and think in the interests of the State. It is a matter or great sorrow for me to note that our State, which was once upon a time ruled by the Vijayanagar Empire is now reduced to tatters.”
“When the BJP came to power in the State, some vested interests propagated that I was an anti-Muslim, a communalist. I am neither in favour of any religion nor any party. The Bhagyalakshmi scheme has benefited hundreds of Muslim girl children also. I believe in the principles of one society, one community and one State, the Chief Minister said.
Bhagalakshmi is a welfare programme for girl children of below the poverty line (BPL) families. Under the scheme, the government bears the entire expenditure on education and health check-up of the beneficiary girl till she attains 18 years of age. Even after turning 18, the Bhagyalakshmi bond is helpful if the girl decides to continue higher eduction or get married.
11,39,697 beneficiaries
Free sarees were also distributed on the occasion as an incentive to encourage and enthuse the mothers of beneficiary girls to properly look after their girl children.
So far a total of 11,39,697 girl beneficiaries have been enrolled under the Bhagyalakshmi scheme.
The total expenditure on the scheme is Rs 1090.53 crore so far and in addition another Rs 552 crore will be spent.
A budgetary provision of Rs 358 crore has been made for 2010-11. So far this year 1,35,802 girl beneficiaries have been identified with the value of the bonds worth Rs 236 crore.
