KANYASHREE

Kanyashree Prakalpa is a significant initiative launched by the Department of Women Development and Social Welfare in the Government of West Bengal. This conditional cash transfer scheme aims to uplift the status and well-being of the girl child in the state by incentivizing their education and delaying their marriages until they reach the legal age of 18. By providing financial incentives to families, Kanyashree Prakalpa encourages them to invest in their daughters' education and prioritize their development. The scheme not only promotes girls' access to education but also seeks to empower them by delaying early marriages, which can have detrimental effects on their health, education, and overall well-being.

The implementation of Kanyashree Prakalpa across all districts of West Bengal demonstrates the government's commitment to addressing gender disparities and promoting the rights and opportunities of girls. By targeting teenage girls and their families, the scheme aims to break the cycle of poverty and discrimination, paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive society.

Through Kanyashree Prakalpa, the Government of West Bengal acknowledges the importance of investing in girls' education and empowerment as a key strategy for achieving sustainable development and social progress. By providing both financial support and policy incentives, the scheme seeks to create an enabling environment where girls can thrive, fulfil their potential, and contribute to the prosperity of their communities and the nation as a whole. Bolpur College's involvement in the wellbeing mission, particularly in initiatives like Kanyashree Prakalpa, not only contributes to the broader goals of social welfare and gender equality but also reinforces its role as a responsible and socially engaged educational institution. 

Components of the Scheme

The scheme has three components:

1. Kanyashree Prakalpa I, Annual Scholarship of Rs. 500/-(Rupees Five hundred only)
2. Kanyashree Prakalpa II, One time Grant of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty-five thousand only), Mainly College Girls Students
3. Kanyashree Prakalpa III, Two times Grant of Rs. 24000/- (Rupees Twenty-four thousand only), for PG Girls students. 

The One-time Grant is for girls turned 18 at the time of application, enrolled in government recognized regular or open school/college or pursuing vocational/technical training or sports activity or is an inmate of Home registered under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000. It is wonderful to hear that Bolpur College is extending support to both undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) girl students through the Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme. By providing financial assistance to girl students who have turned 18 years old, the Government is not only incentivizing their education but also helping to delay early marriages and promote their overall wellbeing. For UG girl students of Bolpur College, receiving Rs. 25,000 at once can provide a significant boost to their financial resources, allowing them to cover expenses related to tuition fees, books, transportation, and other educational needs. Similarly, for PG girl students, receiving Rs. 24,000 twice during the course duration can help them manage the costs associated with higher education, including research expenses and living expenses.

By offering tailored support to UG and PG girl students, Bolpur College acknowledges the unique challenges and needs faced by students at different academic levels. This targeted approach ensures that all female students, regardless of their educational stage, have access to financial assistance that can facilitate their academic pursuits and contribute to their personal and professional development.

Furthermore, The Government of West Bengal has provided Kanyashree Prakalpa for the girls’ students and Bolpur College played as a role of service provider of the Government scheme. Bolpur College strengthens its role as a socially responsible institution committed to promoting gender equality, empowering women, and fostering inclusive education. This initiative not only benefits individual students but also contributes to building a more equitable and inclusive society where every girl has the opportunity to fulfil her potential and contribute to the nation's progress.

Given that child marriage has a grossly negative impact on the lives of children, adolescents and young women, this scheme is expected to bring about improved outcomes in terms of their educational status, health (especially facilitate the prevention of infant and maternal mortality) and contribute towards the empowerment of the girls in the State, and bring immeasurable benefits for the larger society as a whole.

No. of Students Benefited: