Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has instituted an annual award for women in the name of Dakshayani Velayudhan, the first and lone Dalit woman in the constituent Assembly.

The award would be bestowed on a woman who works for the empowerment of other needy women and those toil to uplift the marginalised among them, state Health Minister K K Shailaja said here on Monday.

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Administrative sanction was given to institute the honour, which carries a cash prize of Rs one lakh, a citation and a sculpture, she said adding that it would be presented on the International Women's Day this year.

Applicants should be those working in the field at least for the last five years and should work in a manner that is conducive to the empowerment of women and the upliftment of the marginalised.

The winner would be selected by a screening committee headed by a gender advisor formed at the government level, she said here in a statement.

Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac had first announced the prestigious award while presenting the state budget in 2019.

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He had also earmarked Rs two crore for the same.

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