Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was paid a courtesy visit by Union Minister for Women-Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani at Samatva Bhawan Chief Minister's residence today during her stay in Bhopal. Irani appreciated the women welfare schemes implemented in the state.
Irani said that when she had come to Indore for a women's programme, thousands of women from the lower middle class had apprised her about the good experiences of women's welfare schemes implemented in the state.
A large number of women are getting benefited from the schemes of women welfare of the Central and state government. Irani said that due to the changes made by the Central Government in the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, now even if there is a second daughter in the family, the benefit of the scheme will be available.
Chief Minister Chouhan informed Smt. Irani in detail about the women welfare schemes implemented in the state. The Chief Minister said that Ladli Laxmi Yojana was started in the year 2006, which encouraged girls in the field of education and also improved the sex ratio in the state. Women's welfare schemes were continuously implemented in the state.
Earlier there was lack of nutrition and care system for pregnant and child-bearing women in the rural areas of the state. At present, mothers get Rs 4,000 before the birth of the child and Rs 6,000 after the birth of the child, so that they can take adequate care of their health and nutrition.
Chief Minister Chouhan informed that empowerment of daughters and women has been done by giving 50 and 30% reservation in local bodies and police force respectively in the state. Madhya Pradesh has been the first state to take this initiative.
This decision was taken in the interest of women even after tolerating protests at various levels for reservation in the police force. In the state, a large number of women have become property owners due to concession in stamp duty on the registration of property in the name of women. Daughters have also benefited from Gaon Ki Beti and Pratibha Kiran Yojana.
The Chief Minister said that the budget of the state has increased manifold without reducing the capital expenditure. The state is ahead in many fields. The welfare of various sections has been ensured.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that the previous government had stopped many schemes, including the monthly food grant of Rs one thousand given to women of Baiga, Saharia and Bharia tribal woen. Similarly, Sambal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and other schemes were not implemented by the previous government.
At present, the Madhya Pradesh government has eased the path of economic empowerment of women by starting Ladli Bahna Yojana. The second monthly installment under the scheme is being paid on Monday, July 10. During this Medical Education Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang was also present.
