Madhya Pradesh Increases Women's Financial Aid to Rs 1500 Under Ladli Behna Yojana

During the event, Chief Minister Dr Yadav (centre) might also rename the scheme. (File)

Bhopal:

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will on Wednesday transfer the enhanced monthly payment of Rs 1,500 to women beneficiaries under the state government's "Ladli Behna Yojana" during an official ceremony in Seoni.

Previously, beneficiaries received Rs 1,250 monthly until the Cabinet approved the increase earlier this month. With a single click, Dr Yadav will transfer a total of Rs 1,857 crore to more than 1.26 crore Ladli Behnas across all 52 districts of Madhya Pradesh.

The increase in the monthly installment is projected to add over Rs 300 crore per month to the state's budget expenditure.

Earlier, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election manifesto promised to increase the amount to Rs 3,000 per month, suggesting that Wednesday's enhancement represents progress toward fulfilling this commitment.

The Ladli Behna Yojana was initiated by the state government in June 2023, initially providing women with Rs 1,000 monthly financial assistance. The amount was raised to Rs 1,250 in September 2023 and remained unchanged until now.

The current increase follows a month-long delay that left many beneficiaries waiting for their "Bhai Dooj" gift - a Rs 250 festival bonus that wasn't transferred on schedule due to budgetary and administrative challenges.

Since the program's inception, approximately Rs 44,917.92 crore has been directly deposited into beneficiaries' bank accounts.

According to the latest progress report, a total of 1.26 crore women have benefitted from this welfare initiative.

Officials report that the scheme has significantly enhanced women's participation in local economies. Numerous women have utilized these funds to establish small businesses such as tailoring services, dairy farming operations, and photocopy centers, transforming government support into sustainable livelihoods.

During Wednesday's event, Chief Minister Dr Yadav may also rename the scheme to "Devi Subhadra Yojana." He previously hinted at this name change during Bhai Dooj celebrations at his Bhopal residence last month, comparing the government's support for women to Lord Krishna's relationship with his sister Subhadra.

"The relationship between Lord Krishna and Subhadra represents the most beautiful example of brotherly love and protection. Just as Krishna ensured Subhadra's safety and dignity, our government stands as a protector of our sisters, ensuring their happiness, security, and self-reliance," he stated.

While official confirmation about the renaming is pending, government sources indicate the chief minister intends for the scheme to reflect both cultural heritage and emotional connection.