These are some questions, responses to which will make 10 Below Poverty Line (BPL) families in the state walking away with the Prerna Award of being the model BPL families. The scheme is a part of the Population control programme of the Centre.

The Centre has established the National Population Stabilisation Fund of Rs 100 crore. These awards, to be distributed in all the states, will be given through these funds. In the first phase, 46 districts are selectedfrom all over the country, among these 9 are from UP including Lakhimpur Kheri and Behraich. The district administrations have been asked to refer 10 families eligible for the award. The eligibility criterion is simple. If a girl is married after 18 years, the family gets Rs 5000. If the first child was born after the mother was 21, the family receives Rs 7,000 (in case of a girl) and Rs 5,000 (if it was a boy).

A gap of 36 months between first and second child and one parent getting sterilised after the birth of second child will also entitle the couple to a reward of Rs 7000 if it’s a girl child and Rs 5000 for a baby boy.

The parents who fulfill these criteria will be given the award at a district-level ceremony and the cash prizes will be given to them as Kisan Vikas Patra. They will also become peers for the Population Control Programme and will educate the BPL community in both urban and rural areas about the benefits of family planning. Also, they will extensively feature as role models in TV and print campaigns of the government all through the year.