Panaji, Jul 6 (IANS): With an aim to curb female foeticide in Goa, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Friday launched the 'Ladli Laxmi' scheme, under which women can avail Rs.1 lakh to meet wedding expenses.

"One of the reasons behind female foeticide is the fact that parents have to spend money during their daughters' marriages. The Ladli Laxmi scheme aims to break that mindset by empowering women with Rs.1 lakh at the time of marriage," Parrikar told reporters here.

The government has set aside Rs.150 crore for the scheme, which was first announced in the state budget.

Parrikar said around 20,000 women would benefit from the scheme.

"The scheme is applicable from April 1. So those who have gotten married on or after that date can avail of this scheme," he said.

The scheme will be implemented by the state's Women and Child Development Department and is valid only for Goa residents.

It is one of the several schemes for women listed in the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto.

Goa, with a literacy rate of 87.40, has a sex ratio of 968:1000, slightly above the national average of 940:1000.

According to the 2011 census, the coastal state ranks 11th in sex ratio, with Kerala topping the list at 1084:1000 and Daman and Diu at the bottom with 618:1000.