Respect, economic empowerment of ‘sisters’ our top priorities: CM Yadav

Maihar/Bhopal, Aug 19 (IANS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday said that the respect and economic empowerment of sisters and daughters remain the top priorities of his government.

Addressing the state-level ‘Ladli Behna Sammelan’ (conclave) in Maihar, he transferred Rs 2,148.30 crore to the bank accounts of more than 1.25 crore “Ladli Behnas” (beloved sisters) as the 39th instalment of the Chief Minister Ladli Behna Yojana, along with a special Raksha Bandhan shagun of Rs 250, taking the total amount credited to each beneficiary to Rs 1,750.

The Chief Minister described the transfer as a “Naihar Ki Neg” (gift from the maternal home) sent to the state’s beloved sisters from the sacred land of Maihar, blessed by Goddess Sharda. He said that while Raksha Bandhan comes once a year, the government ensures the protection and welfare of sisters every month.

Since the launch of the scheme in June 2023, a total of Rs 63,248 crore has been transferred in 39 instalments. A budget provision of Rs 23,882.81 crore has been made for 2026-27, and the Cabinet has approved continuation of the scheme for the next five years with an outlay of over Rs 1.14 lakh crore.

CM Yadav visited the “Maa Sharda temple” before the event.

At the Sammelan held at Ustad Alauddin Khan Stadium, he showered flowers on the sisters, tied Rakhis, and was joined by local hockey players Ananya Awadhiya and Unnati Pandey in presenting Rakhis.

New members of the Jan Abhiyan Parishad also offered a large Rakhi to the Chief Minister.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 25 development projects worth over Rs 256 crore in Maihar district. He also performed the ground-breaking for the first phase of Maa Sharda Lok, estimated to cost Rs 9 crore, as part of the state’s temple development push after Mahakal Lok.

Highlighting women’s empowerment, Yadav said sisters nurture both parental and marital homes and form the backbone of families. The government is promoting self-help groups and has announced an additional Rs 5,000 incentive for women working in employment-oriented industries.

He also spoke about the campaign against drug abuse, closure of liquor shops near 19 religious places, expansion of irrigation in the Vindhya region through the Bargi Canal, and round-the-clock electricity for farmers.

The Chief Minister emphasised that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the government remains committed to the dignity, security and economic progress of women across Madhya Pradesh.

–IANS

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