Daijiworld Media Network - Seoni
Seoni, Nov 13: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav will on Wednesday transfer the increased monthly installment of Rs 1,500 each to the accounts of women beneficiaries under the state government’s flagship Ladli Behna Yojana during a special event in Seoni.
Until now, the beneficiaries were receiving Rs 1,250 per month, which was recently raised by the Cabinet earlier this month. With a single click, Dr Yadav will transfer Rs 1,857 crore to over 1.26 crore women across all 52 districts of the state. The revision is expected to increase the government’s monthly expenditure by over Rs 300 crore.
The BJP government had earlier promised in its election manifesto to raise the amount to Rs 3,000 per month. Political analysts believe Wednesday’s hike marks the first step towards fulfilling that commitment.
A look at the scheme
The Ladli Behna Yojana was launched in June 2023 to provide financial support of Rs 1,000 per month to women. The amount was increased to Rs 1,250 in September 2023 and has now been revised to Rs 1,500.
The latest hike comes after a brief delay that had left many women waiting for their “Bhai Dooj” bonus of Rs 250, which was postponed due to administrative and budgetary reasons.
Since its inception, the state government has transferred a total of Rs 44,917.92 crore directly into the accounts of beneficiaries. According to official data, 1.26 crore women have benefitted from the scheme so far. Officials noted that the scheme has boosted women’s participation in local economies, helping many start small ventures such as tailoring, dairy farming, and photocopy centers—turning welfare aid into self-reliant livelihoods.
Possible renaming to ‘Devi Subhadra Yojana’
During Wednesday’s event, Chief Minister Yadav may also announce the renaming of the scheme to Devi Subhadra Yojana. The CM had hinted at the change during Bhai Dooj celebrations in Bhopal last month, drawing a parallel between the government’s support for women and the bond between Lord Krishna and his sister Subhadra.
“The relationship between Lord Krishna and Subhadra is 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,” Dr Yadav had said.
While there has been no official confirmation, sources suggest that the chief minister intends for the new name to symbolize cultural heritage and emotional connection along with women’s empowerment.