Days after launching the 'Ladli Behna Yojana' under which eligible women in Madhya Pradesh will get Rs 1,000 per month, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday announced that special squads will be formed in each ward and village in the state to empower women and end injustice against them.
These squads with women members will be called 'Ladli Behna Sena', he said.
Chouhan made the announcement during an interaction with women at his official residence as part of a programme - 'Ladli Behna Ke Sang Nav Samvatsar Parv'.
"'Ladli Behna Sena' will be constituted in each ward and village in the state. This sena (squad) will ensure that no behna (siste) faces any injustice," he said.
Besides ensuring that the benefits of the 'Ladli Behna Yojana' reach the women, the sena will also deal with cases of domestic violence and set anti-social elements right. It will unite women on the issues of economic empowerment and social security, the chief minister said.
Chouhan also told the women during the interaction that 'ahatas' (drinking areas attached to liquor outlets) will be closed in the state from April 1, and those found drinking liquor on the roadside and in parks will be punished.
The 'Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana' was launched in the state on March 5. Under this scheme, women will be given Rs 1,000 assistance per month with certain riders, like the woman must be in 23-60 age group, should be a resident of MP and married, should not be an Income Tax payee and her family's annual income should be below Rs 2.50 lakh.
The government aims to reach out to one crore women in the state, where Assembly polls are scheduled to be held at the end of the year. A provision of Rs 8,000 crore has been made for the scheme in the state budget presented in the Assembly recently.
During the programme, the chief minister said, "Women also have the right on the state exchequer and to ensure that the Ladli Behna Yojana's money goes straight into the accounts of the women, the process of 'e-KYC' is being started in the state."
To avail benefits of the scheme, there is no need to submit documents like domicile or income certificate. No need to pay anyone for getting e-KYC done and in case anybody demands money for doing it, just complain to CM-Helpline-No. 181, to ensure that such persons are sent to jail, he added.
Chouhan also informed that for filling-up applications of the scheme, camps will be held in each ward and village of the state from March 25th and the money will be transferred to the eligible women's account from June 10.
"This (Ladli Behna) scheme is nothing less than a social revolution," he said.
Earlier, women honoured Chouhan for launching this flagship scheme aimed at economic empowerment of women in the state.
-With PTI Input
