Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually disburse the inaugural installment of the Mahatari Vandan Yojana, benefitting over 70 lakh married women, during an event scheduled for Sunday. Finance Minister O P Choudhary made this announcement during a press briefing at the New Circuit House in State Capital, emphasising the significance of this initiative. Choudhary revealed that the distribution would take place across 146 block headquarters, with Prime Minister Modi personally engaging with beneficiaries from various districts, including Bilaspur and Dantewada. The event will be broadcast live at the block headquarters via LED screens, with the main function held at the Science College Ground in Raipur. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and other cabinet ministers will grace the occasion, along with over five lakh women from State. Choudhary highlighted the unprecedented scale of female inclusion in this scheme, attributing it to the remarkable efforts of the Women and Child Development Department, which successfully uploaded the records of over 70 lakh women within a month. Responding to inquiries regarding the state’s economic management, Choudhary criticised the previous Congress government for alleged financial mismanagement and corruption.

 

He assured that the current BJP government, under Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, is committed to fulfilling all promises made under ‘Modi Ki Guarantee’, demonstrating superior financial stewardship compared to its predecessor. In terms of program logistics, Choudhary disclosed that only a negligible number of applications were rejected or put on hold due to technical issues, affirming the meticulousness of the screening process. Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade echoed Choudhary’s sentiments, emphasising the transformative potential of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana in economically empowering women. She said that an amount totaling Rs 655.57 crore would be disbursed under the scheme, marking a substantial investment in women’s welfare. The conference was attended by Public Health and Family Welfare Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, underscoring the collaborative effort of various governmental departments in driving holistic development initiatives.