Nitish launches scheme for girl child post Muzaffapur sex scandal

Amid a barrage of attacks over the Muzaffarpur sex scandal, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has launched an ambitious scheme which promises to provide Rs 54,100 from the birth of a girl child till she graduates.

Kumar launched the 'Mukhyamantri Kanya Utthan Yojana' here on Friday and expressed his government's resolve for empowerment of women.

In his launch speech, Kumar talked about his happiness over the start of the scheme, but at the same time said he was "standing here with mixed feelings" over the case of sex abuse at a state-funded girls' shelter home at Muzaffarpur".

On the occasion, the chief minister also made several other announcements like increasing the amount under the 'Bicycle Yojna' from Rs 2500 to Rs 3000.

The scheme, launched by Nitish Kumar government in 2006, providing bicycles to school going girls, has won laurels in the country and abroad.

He also announced doubling the amount for purchase of sanitary napkin to Rs 300 from existing Rs 150 under the 'Kishori Swasthya Yojna.'