General News

Bhopal, May 6 (PTI) More than 7.45 lakh girls will get Rs 900 crore under the Madhya Pradesh Government''s much-touted `Ladli Laxmi Yojana'' after the National Saving Certificates (NSCs) purchased in their name matures, officials said today.Under the scheme meant to improve the social and economic status of the girl child, the Government, at the birth of a baby girl, buys an NSC worth Rs 6,000 in her name.The NSC purchases are made for the next four years.The girl will get Rs 1.18 lakh when she attains the age of 21 years under the scheme. Besides, the girl child enrolled under the scheme is entitled to get money at different stages for education, they said.So far, the Government has purchased NSCs worth Rs 250 crore and this amount will multiply to Rs 900 crore on maturity, the officials said.This scheme was launched by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan four years back. According to political observers, it has helped the ruling BJP to retain power in the Assembly elections of 2008.