<p>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.” <br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />11,39,697 beneficiaries<br /><br />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.<br />So far a total of 11,39,697 girl beneficiaries have been enrolled under the Bhagyalakshmi scheme. <br /><br />The total expenditure on the scheme is Rs 1090.53 crore so far and in addition another Rs 552 crore will be spent. <br /><br />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.</p>
<p>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.” <br /><br />“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.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />11,39,697 beneficiaries<br /><br />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.<br />So far a total of 11,39,697 girl beneficiaries have been enrolled under the Bhagyalakshmi scheme. <br /><br />The total expenditure on the scheme is Rs 1090.53 crore so far and in addition another Rs 552 crore will be spent. <br /><br />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.</p>
