Shivraj Chouhan’s ‘Ladli Behna’ Scheme Boosts BJP Victory in Madhya Pradesh Election
In a surprising turn of events, the BJP emerged victorious in the Madhya Pradesh election, defying the predictions of exit polls. The success of the BJP has been attributed to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s welfare schemes, particularly the ‘Ladli Behna’ initiative, which played a crucial role in securing women’s votes and swinging the polls in the party’s favor.
Launched in March of this year, the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme aims to empower women and make them financially independent. Under this scheme, women between the ages of 23 and 60 receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 in their bank accounts, with the promise of gradual increments up to Rs 3,000. The objective is to provide financial support to address women’s health and nutrition needs while promoting self-reliance.
Eligibility for the scheme is limited to married women residing in Madhya Pradesh within the specified age range. Widows, divorced women, and abandoned women are also included. However, women from families with an annual income exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh, income tax payers, government employees, and unmarried women are ineligible. Additionally, women whose family members are elected public representatives cannot benefit from the scheme. Notably, the monthly installments are only deposited into the women’s accounts and not those of their spouse or relatives.
The successful implementation of the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme can be attributed to a dedicated team of 40 members who registered 1.25 crore women within just 100 days. Using the Aadhaar database, the team linked women’s bank accounts to their phone numbers and Aadhaar for efficient and accurate processing. Despite long queues, the registration process only took a few minutes, even in rural areas.
With over 23,000 panchayats and 7,000 wards, Madhya Pradesh presented a significant challenge for the registration team. However, their unwavering dedication allowed them to upload data for more than 50,000 women per day. Members of the team worked tirelessly, often for 16-20 hours a day, sacrificing festivals and personal health for the project’s success.
The political significance of the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme became apparent when the Congress party announced a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 leading up to the Assembly polls. In response, the ruling BJP modified the ‘Ladli Behna’ policy, increasing the monthly amount to Rs 1,250. Chief Minister Chouhan assured the public that this amount would gradually increase to Rs 3,000 per month. Despite criticism from the Congress, Chouhan remained confident in the efficacy of the scheme, which ultimately removed obstacles on the BJP’s path to victory.
The success of the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme can be attributed to the dire socio-economic conditions faced by women in Madhya Pradesh. Data from the National Health and Family Survey reveals that a significant percentage of women in the state suffer from malnutrition and anemia. Additionally, women’s ownership of property, mobile phones, and participation in the workforce are alarmingly low. In this context, the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme, which places money directly into the hands of women, has the potential to improve their quality of life. Furthermore, the scheme ensures that the funds do not end up in the hands of male relatives, addressing the issue of misuse.
The success of the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme not only benefited women but also propelled the BJP to victory in the Madhya Pradesh election.
