Smriti Irani praises women welfare schemes in MP

Staff Reporter

Union Minister for Women-Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smriti Irani paid a courtesy visit to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at Samatva Bhawan Chief Minister’s residence on Sunday during her stay in Bhopal. Irani appreciated 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 lower middle class had apprised her about 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 governments. Irani said that due to changes made by the Central Government in Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, now even if there is a second daughter in the family, benefit of the scheme will be available.

Chief Minister Chouhan informed Irani in detail about women welfare schemes implemented in the State. The Chief Minister said that Ladli Laxmi Yojana was started in year 2006, which encouraged girls in the field of education and also improved 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 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.

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.

Madhya Pradesh is ahead in many fields The Chief Minister said that budget of the State has increased manifold without reducing capital expenditure. The State is ahead in many fields. Welfare of various sections has been ensured. The previous government had stopped the schemes: Chief Minister Chouhan said that the previous Government had stopped many schemes, including monthly food grant of Rs 1000 given to women of Baiga, Saharia and Bharia tribal women. Similarly, Sambal Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission and other schemes were not implemented by the previous government. At present, 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.