Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during last nine years, a number of schemes and programmes for the girl child have been implemented in Madhya Pradesh to create a positive atmosphere for them. These schemes and programmes have not only yielded impressive result, but have also been replicated throughout the country.
Birth of the girl child is a matter of pride and not a curse. For creating this mindset, ladli laxmi Yojana was launched first. The scheme changed the mindset of considering girls as a curse. This is the only scheme in the entire country through which all responsibilities of girls from birth to marriage are borne by the Government. Till date, 18.50 lakh girls have been benefited through this scheme. In their families, these girls are a matter of respect. The scheme sends the message throughout the State to accept girls.
Beti Bachao Abhiyan was launched in 2011 to create sense of respect towards girls in society. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan led an intensive campaign throughout the State for this which succeeded in making society think that there is no difference between boys and girls. This scheme was given national-level recognition at Panipat in Haryana on January 22, 2015 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ Abhiyan at national level. Not only this, Prime Minister Modi also declared slogan of Chief Minister Chouhan ‘Beti Naheen Bachaoge To Bahu Kahan Se laoge’ as national slogan.
Swagatam laxmi Yojana was launched in Madhya Pradesh in 2014 to ensure that girls are respected everywhere including home, society, stage, hospital and school. Now, a girl is given public reception as soon as she is born. She is greeted when she goes to school for first time. Objective behind these exercises is to change people’s mindset.
The State Government has initiated concrete measures to ensure that girls are educated, empowered and capable. The State Government has provided free cycles to 20 lakh girls to help them imbibe education and avail benefit of schemes. They are given free books and two sets of uniform. The girls joining higher education after passing class XII in first division are given Rs500 per month scholarship. Pratibha Kiran Yojana has been launched for their higher education. Female literacy rate in the State has gone up to 60 per cent.