Bellary, Aug 20 (PTI): Girl children of families of below poverty line (BPL) in state would be offered free education and medical treatment till the age of 18 under a government scheme, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa announced on Friday. 

He told a BJP rally here that beneficiaries of  the scheme number more than 54,000 in Bellary District alone. A convention of the beneficiaries would be held towards the end of next month here followed by such events in every district. "This will be a government programme; not of the party". Under the scheme, the government deposits Rs 10,000 in the name of the girl child of BPL families when she is born and hands over to her the entire amount with accrued interest when she attains the age of 18.

In a hard-hitting speech, Yeddyurappa attacked the Congress for anti-government campaigns demanding CBI probe into alleged illegal mining. He said the Congress was responsible for the "burning problems" faced by the state, noting that the BJP had been in power for just 27 months.

"Congress can conduct 'padayatras' for life, but they will continue to be in opposition (in Karnataka)", he said. The Chief Minister said he and his Cabinet colleagues would not rest till the BJP came back to power in the next Assembly elections with 150 seats (out of the total 224)".