Lucknow: On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, brought forth a substantial gift for the state's daughters by revealing an augmentation in the Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangla Yojana's financial support. During a gathering at Lok Bhavan, where he engaged with the beneficiaries of the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala' initiative, the Chief Minister shared that the coalition government is slated to elevate the Kanya Sumangala scheme's stipend from Rs 15,000 to Rs 25,000, effective from the fiscal year 2024-2025.

The Chief Minister addressed the attendees, highlighting the positive impact of this increase. He expressed that this enhancement would empower the daughters of the state, facilitating both their education and journey towards self-sufficiency. CM Yogi outlined the scheme's updated framework, which will see a shift in disbursement timelines. Beginning the year following the birth of a daughter, Rs 5,000 will be credited to the parents' account. This will be followed by Rs 2,000 when the daughter turns one, Rs 3,000 upon entering first grade, Rs 3,000 on entering sixth grade, Rs 5,000 upon entering ninth grade, and finally, Rs 7,000 if she enrolls in a graduate, diploma, or certificate program.

Furthermore, CM Yogi disclosed that a significant number of daughters—16.24 lakh—currently benefit from this scheme across the state. He underscored the importance of this step in advancing PM Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' (Save the Daughter, Educate the Daughter) campaign and declared that the government is steadfast in ensuring the security, protection, and progress of every daughter, without any form of discrimination.

The Chief Minister affirmed that all underprivileged sisters in the state would be included under the government's various initiatives, spanning from ration cards to the Ayushman Bharat Yojana for healthcare. The ceremony witnessed select beneficiaries tying Rakhis to Chief Minister Yogi as part of the Raksha Bandhan tradition. He reciprocated by offering gifts and assuring them of sustained support.

As a part of the event, CM Yogi symbolically transferred a sum of Rs 5.82 crore into the accounts of 29,523 beneficiary girls. Additionally, he distributed cheques to ten girls and their parents. Beneficiary Ratna Mishra shared her experience, highlighting the scheme's pivotal role in her education and confidence-building. She attributed her newfound ability to pursue her dreams to the Chief Minister's initiative.

Akshara Kushwaha, a 10th-grade student, expressed her gratitude, asserting that this scheme has substantially transformed the lives of economically disadvantaged girls like herself. She emphasized how this support has enabled her to progress academically alongside her peers.

Shivanshi Vishwakarma, a 12th-grade student at Kasturba Kanya Inter College, introduced herself to the Chief Minister in Sanskrit and delivered a soul-stirring patriotic song. Her performance instilled a sense of nationalism among the audience and underscored her aspiration to become a teacher through this scheme.

The event was graced by the presence of Minister of Women Welfare, Child Development, and Nutrition, Baby Rani Maurya, Minister of State for Women Welfare, Child Development, and Nutrition, Pratibha Shukla, along with other dignitaries.

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