Panaji, Sep 7 (IBNS): Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar distributed sanction letters of Ladli Laxmi scheme to 585 girl beneficiaries at a mega function organized at Kala Academy on Thursday evening.

The sanction letters confirm that the beneficiaries covered under the scheme are eligible for Rs 1 lakh to make up for their marriage expenses.

“The scheme aims to curb female foeticide in the state. The male and female ratio should be balanced. The financial help is also to ensure  that a girl's marriage is not be a burden on parents,” Parrikar said in the presence of all BJP and its ally legislators at the function.

The three banks – Bank of India, State Bank of India and HDFC selected by the government in implementing the scheme will make the payments to the beneficiaries. The government has earmarked Rs 150 crores for its implementation in the ongoing fiscal year.

Any Goan girl between 18 and 40 years of age, whose marriage has been legally registered with retrospective from April 1, 2012 onwards are eligible under the scheme.

The scheme is one of the most expensive election promises made by the BJP during the election campaign earlier this year. Nearly 15,000 marriages take place in the state annually.

(Reporting by John Edwards)