West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, was honored with the UN Public Service Award at a ceremony held in The Hague, Netherlands. She received the award on the behalf of her government for the ‘Kanyashree Prakalpa’ initiative taken by the West Bengal government. Apart from West Bengal 12 other institutions from 11 countries were also given awards by the UN.
The UN Public Service Day is celebrated every year to recognise public service innovations and excellence that have led to more effective and inclusive public service delivery contributing to the achievement of the SDGs in countries worldwide.
The UN 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 highlights the pivotal role of public services in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Under the Kanyashree Prakalpa scheme initiated by Banerjee government, every year cash was deposited in the bank accounts of girls if they remained enrolled in a school and were remained unmarried. This initiative gained popularity in the state and helped to reducing illiteracy amongst girls and child marriage drastically.
While addressing at the ceremony Mamata Banerjee said that “public service is service for all; it means continuous monitoring and regular service for the people.” She also added that receiving the first from UN for Kanyashree Prakalpa is a huge honour and recognition for West Bengal. She further added that her government always focused on empowering the women, female education and is totally against child marriage. She also outlined measures taken by her government to ensure basic amenities, healthcare, food support and education to people in her state. Mamata said that her government always worked for the development of the poor people. Defining governments motto of government of the people, by the people and for the people, she added that public service also means continuous monitoring and providing regular service for the people.
West Bengal holds an approximate population of 100 million people and Mamata boasted that, her government gives direct benefits to 90 per cent, and the people are happy.
Along with India, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mongolia, the UK, Botswana, Colombia, France, and Thailand also won awards for taking initiative for development of people in different fields.