Prayagraj, Dec 21 (FN Agency) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said the girl population had increased in the country ever since his government unleashed the ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Bachao’ campaign. After launching various schemes related to women, Modi said here: “To ensure that our daughters are not killed after birth, we made an effort to create an awareness through ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’ campaign. It’s the result of this effort that today the ratio of girls has increased in a number of states.” Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Union Minister Anupriya Patel and Mathura MP Hema Malini were present on the occasion. Earlier, the Prime Minister reached the parade ground and interacted with members of the self help groups run by women in Uttar Pradesh. After half hour interaction, Moid laid foundation stones of 202 supplementary nutrition manufacturing units and also made online transfer of Rs 1,000 crores into the accounts of 1.60 lakh women self-help groups. He also transferred Rs 20 crores into the accounts of 1.01 lakh beneficiaries of Kanya Sumangala Yojna by pressing a remote.
“A few days back the Central government took another decision. Earlier the legal age for boys to get married was 21 years, but for the girls it was only 18 years. Girls also want equal opportunity for their education… Therefore, efforts are being made to increase the age limit of girls for marriage from 18 to 21 years.” He said the progress of women had been affected in Uttar Pradesh due to the anarchy which prevailing until five years ago. Without naming any party, he said: “Five years back there was mafia raj on the roads of UP. Goons were calling the shot in the government. It was difficult for sisters and daughters of my UP to move on the roads. It was difficult to go to schools and colleges.” He said women were unable to speak for themselves then. If they went to a police station, “someone will call in support of the criminal or rapist”. The Prime Minister said the Yogi “has sent these criminals to the right place”. He said today there are immense opportunities for women in Uttar Pradesh. “I have full confidence that when we have the blessings of women, no one can push this new UP into darkness again.” Earlier, Yogi said that since independence discussions were held on giving rights to the women, but concrete efforts were not made on the ground. “Modi gave the rights to the women, which they had been waiting for since independence, when he became the Prime Minister in 2014.”