In an effort to empower underprivileged women and provide them with financial support, the Madhya Pradesh government launched the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana’. This ambitious scheme, spearheaded by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, aims to uplift women and enhance their socio-economic status by offering them monetary assistance. Under this program, eligible women between the ages of 23 and 60 years initially received ₹1,000 per month. However, the government decided to extend the benefits to those completing 21 years from January of the launch year, provided they meet the existing eligibility criteria.
Launching Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana: A Step towards Women’s Empowerment
The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana was officially launched by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on March 15. The scheme’s primary objective is to support underprivileged women by transferring ₹1,000 per month, amounting to ₹12,000 annually, directly to their bank accounts. This financial assistance can make a significant impact on the lives of eligible women and help them achieve financial stability.
Allocating Substantial Budget: Empowering Women Economically
To ensure the successful implementation of the Ladli Behna Yojana and extend its benefits to a larger section of the population, the Madhya Pradesh state government has allocated a substantial budget of ₹60,000 crore for this scheme. This significant financial commitment demonstrates the government’s dedication to women’s welfare and their determination to bring about positive change in the lives of women across the state.
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Benefit from the Scheme?
To avail themselves of the benefits of the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, women must fulfill certain eligibility criteria. First and foremost, the scheme is exclusively designed for women residing in Madhya Pradesh, ensuring that the state’s own population benefits from this initiative. Moreover, the scheme is open to women belonging to various categories, such as General, OBC, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Abandoned, or Widow women.
In addition to these categories, women need to meet the following eligibility criteria to participate in the scheme:
- Economic Weakness: Women facing economic hardships are given priority under the scheme. This ensures that those who need financial assistance the most are provided with the necessary support.
- Land Ownership: Women who own less than five acres of land are considered eligible for the scheme. This criterion aims to support women from marginalized backgrounds who may not have access to significant land resources.
- Annual Income: Women whose annual income falls below ₹2.5 lakhs can benefit from the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana. This ensures that women with limited financial resources can receive the much-needed financial aid.
- Age Criteria: Initially, the scheme was applicable to women aged 23 years and above. However, the government has now relaxed the age criteria, allowing women who are 21 years old and above to be eligible for the scheme. This expansion aims to reach out to a wider group of women and provide support to them at an earlier age.
Future Prospects: Increasing Financial Support for Women
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has expressed his unwavering commitment to women’s welfare and has pledged to increase the financial support provided through the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana. He envisions incrementally raising the monthly assistance to ₹2,200, ₹2,500, ₹2,700, and ultimately ₹3,000, provided additional funds are secured. This indicates the government’s determination to improve the socio-economic condition of women and empower them to lead a better life.
