Biju Kanya Ratna scheme to be launched tomorrow

Bhubaneswar,
Sep 2: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would launch the Biju Kanya Ratna scheme
on Saturday. The scheme envisages improving Sex Ratio at Birth (SRB) and Child
Sex Ratio (CSR) in three districts of the State and development of girls.

Initially,
the scheme will be launched in three districts – Ganjam, Chief Minister Naveen
Patnaik’s home district, Dhenkanal and Angul on pilot basis. The child sex
ratio has declined to an alarming level in these districts.

The scheme will
help in creating an environment for girls that promotes equal opportunities,
eliminates discrimination and ensures empowerment through changes in societal
attitude. The scheme will focus on reduction of gender differentials in
under-five child mortality rate, audit of under-five girl child death and capacity
building of members of women SHGs on gender issues and rights of girl child
besides improving the nutrition status of girls.

The Women
and Child Development (W&CD) Department would act as the nodal agency for
the scheme with the tagline of “Amari jhia, amari shakti” (Our girls, our
strength).

Sources said
State Government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 3.5 crore for the
purpose.