Congress Critiques Madhya Pradesh BJP Government on Ladli Behna Yojana
Synopsis
In a recent Assembly session, the Congress party has slammed the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government over the lack of new registrations and financial increases under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana, raising questions about the government's commitment to its promises.
Key Takeaways
Congress Critiques: The Congress party has raised issues regarding the BJP's management of the Ladli Behna Yojana.
Financial Assistance: Current monthly assistance remains fixed at Rs 1,500.
No New Registrations: The government has stated there are no proposals for new beneficiary registrations.
Political Accountability: The opposition demands accountability from the ruling party for its promises.
Scheme History: The scheme was launched prior to the 2023 elections with evolving eligibility criteria.
Bhopal, Feb 23 (NationPress) The Congress party has sharpened its criticism of the BJP-led government in Madhya Pradesh concerning the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana. They claim there is currently “no proposal” to enroll new beneficiaries or to increase financial support under the initiative.
This criticism arose after a written statement was presented in the Assembly by Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria addressing questions posed during the ongoing budget session. Congress representatives Satish Sikarwar (Gwalior East) and Mahesh Parmar (Tarana) inquired about the government’s intentions regarding new registrations for the scheme in the recently introduced supplementary budget, the potential reduction of the minimum eligibility age from 21 to 18, and any plans to enhance the monthly financial assistance.
In her written response, Bhuria confirmed that there are no current plans to allow new registrations for the Ladli Behna Yojana, nor is there a plan to increase the monthly assistance from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000.
In reaction to this response, Umang Singhar, the Leader of Opposition, accused the BJP of breaking its promises. “The BJP had pledged to increase the monthly assistance to Rs 3,000. However, the government has now indicated that there is no provision for this increase in the supplementary budget,” he remarked.
Singhar further stated that although Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has claimed that the government intends to incrementally raise the amount, the opposition remains unsatisfied. “The written response explicitly indicates that there is no provision to raise the amount in the supplementary budget,” he informed reporters in the Assembly.
The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana was initiated prior to the 2023 Assembly elections, offering monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to eligible women. Initially, the minimum age for beneficiaries was set at 23 years but was later lowered to 21, with an upper age limit of 60 years, along with other eligibility criteria, including family income.
The government had previously announced a phased increase in assistance, progressing through amounts of Rs 1,250, Rs 1,500, Rs 1,750, Rs 2,000, Rs 2,250, Rs 2,500, and Rs 2,750.
At present, more than 1.25 crore women are receiving Rs 1,500 monthly under this scheme. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had earlier assured that this amount would be raised to Rs 3,000 per month before 2028.
Point of View
The situation highlights a significant political conflict in Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP government's handling of the Ladli Behna Yojana is under scrutiny. The opposition Congress's allegations raise critical questions about accountability and the fulfillment of electoral promises, reflecting broader concerns about governance and social welfare.
NationPress
10 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana?
The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana is a financial assistance scheme launched by the Madhya Pradesh government to support eligible women with monthly payments.
Why is Congress criticizing the BJP government?
Congress is criticizing the BJP government for allegedly not providing new registrations and failing to increase monthly assistance under the Ladli Behna Yojana.
What did the Minister state in the Assembly?
The Minister stated that there are no proposals for new beneficiary registrations or for increasing the monthly assistance in the supplementary budget.
How much assistance do beneficiaries currently receive?
Currently, beneficiaries receive Rs 1,500 per month under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana.
What were the initial conditions of the scheme?
Initially, the scheme required beneficiaries to be at least 23 years old, but this age was later reduced to 21 years.
