Mamata Banerjee-led Bengal govt's 'Lakshmir Bhandar' welfare scheme bags SKOCH Award

Kolkata: West Bengal has bagged prestigious SKOCH award in women and child development category for its popular 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Saturday.

recognition is for both her government and for nearly two crore women of state who have been empowered by scheme, Banerjee said.

Empowerment of women is on priority list of government, she said. 

I am proud to announce that GoWB's welfare scheme Lakshmir Bhandar has received Skoch Award in Women and Child Development category,  Banerjee tweeted.

Women empowerment has always been a priority for us. It's a recognition not only for government but also 1.8 crore empowered women of West Bengal, she ded. West Bengal government  h launched scheme in August 2021 to provide financial support to a woman he of a family and is in age group of 25-60 years. Under scheme Rs 500 per month is being given in respect of general caste category and around Rs 1,000 per month for those in SC and ST categories.

state government incurs an expenditure of around Rs 11,000 crore annually to fund scheme, sources in government said.

Instituted in 2003, SKOCH Award is given to best of governance, inclusive growth, excellence in technology and applications, change management, corporate leership, corporate governance, citizen services delivery, capacity building and empowerment among ors.