Kolkata: The BJP govt on Monday received cabinet approval to double the financial assistance for unmarried girls pursuing higher education. The aid will be disbursed under Bhagini Nivedita scheme. “Unmarried young girls will receive Rs 17,000 each in the first two years of their undergraduate studies and Rs 16,000 in the third year. The total financial support will be Rs 50,000. The first installment under the scheme will be credited in Jan 2027, “ chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said.Under the Trinamool govt’s Kanyashree Prakalpa, a one-time grant of Rs 25,000 was paid to support unmarried girls turning 18. The Bhagini Nivedita scheme will replace the Kanyashree 2 project. “Bhagini Nivedita scheme was in BJP’s election manifesto that has been fulfilled,” said Adhikari.He further announced the cabinet approval for increasing the monthly food allowance for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students living in hostels, from Rs 1,800 to Rs 3,300.
