Madhya Pradesh CM Acknowledges Unexpected Financial Strain from Ladli Behna Scheme

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav recently expressed that his administration did not foresee the significant financial implications arising from the Ladli Behna Yojana, a cash transfer initiative aimed at empowering women in the state. Speaking at an event in Bhopal, the CM, representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), described the scheme as more costly than anticipated, highlighting the budgetary challenges it has introduced.

The Ladli Behna Yojana, originally launched by former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, was unveiled six months prior to the 2023 Assembly elections. The initiative provides a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 to women aged between 21 and 60, provided their families earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh annually. Anticipating the upcoming elections, the monthly payment was raised to Rs 1,250 in October 2023, and the BJP’s election manifesto promised an increase to Rs 3,000 per month.

Since the scheme’s introduction, it has been credited with boosting the BJP’s electoral success in the recent polls. CM Yadav has since announced another increment, raising the financial support to Rs 1,500 in November. This adjustment underscores the government’s commitment to the scheme, which has a projected budget allocation of Rs 23,882 crore for the financial year 2026-27.

However, the scheme is currently facing scrutiny. On September 16, the Madhya Pradesh High Court requested responses from state authorities regarding a petition that seeks to terminate the cash transfer initiative. The petition questions the sustainability of the scheme amidst increasing fiscal pressures.

As debates surrounding the Ladli Behna Yojana continue, with advocates citing its necessity for women’s empowerment and critics pointing out fiscal discrepancies, the state government is at a crossroads. The future of such social welfare initiatives may hinge on balancing financial viability with the promise of economic support for the underprivileged.

Source: scroll.in