Bengal's Kanyashree initiative wins United Nations Public Service Award

The West Bengal Government's Kanyashree Prakalpa on 23 June 2017 was awarded the first prize in United Nations Public Service Award for Asia Pacific.

Out of 552 initiatives from 62 different countries, West Bengal Government's initiative was chosen the best.

The award was presented at The Hague, Netherlands.

Kanyashree Prakalpa is a targeted conditional cash transfer scheme aimed at retaining girls in schools and other educational and skill development institutions and preventing child marriage.

The scheme has already enrolled more than four million adolescent girls and the State Government has till date transferred about USD 500 million directly to the beneficiaries' bank account.

The scheme is being implemented through 16000 institutes and schools.

About United Nations Public Service Award

• The United Nations Public Service Awards are given by the world body to institutions from across the world for their innovation and excellence in providing public services.

• It is the most prestigious international recognition of excellence in public service.

• The overall purpose of the award is to recognize the institutional contribution made by public servants to enhance the role, professionalism, image and visibility of the public service.

• The award highlights the pivotal role of public services in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.