Punjab is all set to launch an ambitious scheme from July 1 to empower girls by providing them free education up to class 12.

Punjab has taken this step to encourage the poor families to educate their girl child without feeling any financial burden, deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said on Tuesday.

He said free education to girls child up to class 12, besides checking the drop out rate, will empower them. From July 1, all government and government-aided schools will provide free education to free education up to class 12.

Badal said school would not even charge local funds from girls.

He addes, under this scheme, funds like admission fee, re-admission fee, amalgamated funds, PTA and sports would not be charged from them.

Badal said that Punjab government has set aside Rs 26 crore for this scheme.

Reviewing the working of Education department, Badal said that 1.46 lakh class 11 and class 12 girl students would get free bicycle on 15th August from Punjab government.

He said that bicycles, besides helping girl students in going to schools, will motivate them with "new feeling of proud and empowerment."

Badal said that Rs 75 crore have been set aside for this scheme.

More than 4,000 primary school in the state are set to be equipped with proper furniture with Sukhbir Singh Badal approving Rs 60 crore for all those primary schools where children are forced to sit on mats.

He said that more than 11.92 lakh primary school students would get relief from this scheme.

The minister also approved Rs 9 crore to provide utensils to 17.20 lakh students getting mid day meal.

Under this scheme, a plate along with a spoon will be arranged for 17.20 lakh students.