In a major push for women’s empowerment and education, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Friday that the state government is doubling the financial assistance under the Kanya Ratna scheme. Speaking at the official Kanya Ratna Day celebrations at the Dhono Dhanyo Auditorium, Adhikari stated that the annual student grant will increase from 1,000 rupees to 2,000 rupees starting from the next academic year.

The event, held on August 14, 2026, was attended by key cabinet members, including Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul and Minister Malati Rabha, alongside more than 1,600 school and college female students from Kolkata, Howrah, and the 24 Parganas districts.

Key Announcements and New Schemes

* ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ Integration: The state has officially adopted the national ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign, a program it had previously stayed out of.

* Enhanced Financial Support: Over 2 million beneficiaries are targeted under school verification drives, with initial disbursements surpassing 1 million students backed by a 400-crore rupee allocation.

* Higher Education and Scholarships:

* Students securing over 60% marks will continue to receive benefits under the Vivekananda Merit-cum-Means Scholarship.

* A newly established 100-crore rupee fund named after Swami Vivekananda has been set up to support students pursuing higher education nationally or studying abroad.

* College and university students pursuing higher education will be eligible for a 50,000-rupee grant.
* Safety and Welfare Initiatives: The government launched a dedicated 181 Women’s Helpline and introduced the ‘PALNA’ creche project aimed at supporting working mothers.

Commitment to Female Education

Reiterating the administration’s vision, Chief Minister Adhikari drew inspiration from social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar, emphasizing a commitment to bridging gaps in female literacy and preventing dropouts.

“We want our daughters to take the lead in education and strengthen society, much like Matangini Hazra in the days to come,” Adhikari remarked during his address.

Concluding the programme, the Chief Minister interacted directly with the attending students, marking a significant policy shift aimed at bolstering child welfare, safety, and educational infrastructure across the state.

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