Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee's Media Department Chairperson Mukesh Nayak has launched a scathing attack on the BJP government in the state over delays in disbursing payments under the Ladli Behna Yojana and the failure to fulfil its pre-poll promise of increasing the scheme's monthly payout. Nayak said that despite promising to raise the monthly amount from ?1,250 to ?3,000 during the 2023 Assembly elections, the government has made no progress even after nearly a year and a half.
He further alleged that the 23rd instalment of the scheme, due in April 2025, has not yet been credited, leaving 1.27 crore women beneficiaries disappointed and frustrated. "The BJP projected Ladli Behna Yojana as one of its biggest achievements and made grand promises to secure votes. But now, neither are payments being made on time, nor has any step been taken to increase the amount. This is a clear betrayal of the trust placed in them by the women of Madhya Pradesh," said Nayak.
Citing a recent Assembly session, Nayak pointed out that the government had clearly stated there was no proposal to increase the monthly benefit amount, thus exposing the hollowness of BJP’s poll commitments. He called the delay a sign of the government's insensitivity, adding, “Millions of families depend on this amount for daily needs, children’s education, and household nutrition. The BJP government is neither ensuring timely disbursement nor keeping its promises. Is this a silent attempt to gradually weaken the scheme?”
Launched on January 28, 2023, the Ladli Behna Yojana offers financial assistance to eligible women aged 21 to 60 years. It played a pivotal role in BJP’s 2023 election campaign, significantly influencing voter sentiment. However, the recent delays and the lack of progress in increasing the financial aid have raised serious questions about the scheme’s future credibility.
Nayak further alleged that the government’s attention has now drifted from the scheme. “Slogans like ‘Rashi aati hai 10 tareekh ko’ (The amount arrives on the 10th) are now nothing but hollow rhetoric,” he said. He called for a more transparent and accountable mechanism to ensure timely payments going forward.
