Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday announced that the financial assistance given by the state government under its ‘Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah/Nikah Yojana’ to facilitate the marriage of poor women will be raised to Rs 51,000 from the present amount of Rs 49,000.
“We have strived to end the injustice meted out to daughters in the society by launching several welfare schemes. Under the Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah/Nikah Yojana, Rs 49,000 are being given at present to perform the wedding of girls belonging to poor sections of the society. It is now raised to Rs 51,000,” Chouhan said.
He also said that under the ambitious Ladli Behna scheme launched this March, Rs 1,000 will be deposited every month into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries from June 10.
State Congress chief Kamal Nath has also announced that the party would provide Rs 1,500 per month to poor women, if voted to power.
Elections to the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly are scheduled to be held by the end of this year. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to retain power, while the Congress is endeavouring to return to the helm.
The CM also said that it was his government’s endeavour to ensure every woman earns at least Rs 10,000 per month and added that in order to monitor implementation of schemes meant for women, units of ‘Ladli Behna Sena’ are being constituted in each ward and village of the state.