Mayawati announces schemes worth Rs 3000 crore on birthday

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati announced schemes and projects worth Rs 3000 crore for the people of Uttar Pradesh ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections on her birthday.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati on Thursday announced schemes and projects worth Rs 3000 crore for the people of the state ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections.

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"For the Bahujan Samaj Party it has been a tradition to offer 'gifts' to the people of the state on my birthday. Like previous years, the government has decided to launch a host of new schemes this time as well," Mayawati told reporters in Lucknow.

Giving details of the projects, the chief minister said that a Mahamaya Gareeb Balika Ashirwaad Yojna was being launched, wherein financial assistance would be provided to poor girls born on or after January 15, 2009, once they attain the age of eighteen.

Under the scheme, the government would open fixed deposit accounts for all such girls.

"Once a girl turns 18, she will get a financial aid of Rs 1 lakh, provided the beneficiary is not married," she said.

The scheme will help the government to improve gender ratio in the state, she added.

The chief minister announced an education scheme for poor girls - Savitribai Phule Balika Shiksha Madad Yojna, under which assistance of Rs 25,000 would be extended to each beneficiary to pursue secondary education.

"The government has decided to provide financial help of Rs 25,000 each to poor girls willing to pursue secondary education. In the first year, Rs 15,000 and a bicycle would be provided," she said.

The Chief Minister said that the two schemes will cost the state exchequer around Rs 2,000 crore.