Goa to implement 'Ladli Lakshmi' scheme from July

"The scheme would formally open by June 30 but the actual disbursement of the money will start from July 10," Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told reporters today.

Under the scheme, the government will provide Rs one lakh to the girls who have attained the age of 18 to meet their marriage expenses, he said.

"(To qualify for the scheme), the girl should be born in Goa or at least one of her parents should be born in Goa," the Chief Minister said.

The marriages that took place after April 1, 2012 would be covered under the programme, he said.

The basic aim of the scheme is to ensure that the parents don't consider the girl child as a burden on them, Parrikar said.

The girls aged between 18 and 38 years would be covered under the scheme. The government would deposit Rs one lakh in the name of the girl once she turns 18. Banks have been roped in to implement the scheme.

The scheme will cost Rs 150 crore annually, Parrikar said.