KKN Gurugram Desk | In a heartfelt gesture ahead of Raksha Bandhan, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has announced a special bonus for women beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna Yojana. Eligible women will receive an additional ₹250 as a festive gift along with their regular monthly support of ₹1,250 under the flagship welfare scheme.

The decision, announced during a public address in Bhopal, aims to empower women economically and emotionally during the upcoming festive season. The Chief Minister referred to the Raksha Bandhan bonus as a “Shagun,” a traditional Indian term for a symbolic gift that signifies love and protection.

Ladli Behna Yojana 2025: Monthly Support + Festival Bonus

Under the Ladli Behna Yojana, launched to enhance the financial independence and well-being of women in the state, eligible women receive ₹1,250 monthly. With this new announcement, women will now get ₹1,500 in the month of August 2025, in honor of the Raksha Bandhan festival.

“Our sisters are the backbone of our society. As a token of love and appreciation, we have decided to offer a ₹250 Shagun on Raksha Bandhan,” said CM Mohan Yadav.

 About Ladli Behna Yojana: Uplifting Women Through Financial Security

 Objective:

The Ladli Behna Scheme is a women-centric financial inclusion initiative introduced by the Madhya Pradesh government to provide direct economic assistance to women, especially from low-income households.

 Key Features:

• Monthly assistance: ₹1,250

• Eligibility: Women aged 21–60 years, with an annual family income below a prescribed threshold

• Target beneficiaries: Rural women, daily wage earners, widows, and marginalized communities

• Payment method: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts

With over 1.25 crore women already enrolled, the scheme is hailed as one of the most ambitious women empowerment initiatives in the country.

 Why a Raksha Bandhan Bonus? Understanding the Cultural and Political Context

 The Significance of Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan, to be celebrated on August 19, 2025, is a festival symbolizing the bond between brothers and sisters. By offering a Shagun around this time, the state government is making an emotional and cultural connection with the women of Madhya Pradesh.

Political Implication

While the bonus amount may seem modest, the symbolic value is significant. It reflects the state’s intention to remain sensitive to cultural sentiments while delivering tangible support. CM Yadav’s move is expected to bolster the ruling party’s image among female voters ahead of upcoming local elections.

Economic Impact: ₹312.5 Crore to Be Disbursed in August

With over 1.25 crore women beneficiaries, the additional ₹250 per woman in August translates into a one-time outlay of ₹312.5 crore from the state budget. Combined with the regular monthly payout, the total August disbursement under the Ladli Behna Yojana will exceed ₹1,875 crore.

According to finance department officials, the bonus will be issued without disrupting other welfare allocations. This underlines the government’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with social welfare.

 Public Response: Relief and Appreciation

Many beneficiaries have welcomed the announcement. In semi-urban areas like Sehore, Vidisha, and Chhindwara, women gathered at community centers to thank the CM virtually. Beneficiaries stated that the extra ₹250, though a small amount, will go a long way in helping them buy essentials or festive items for their children.

“It’s not just about the money. It’s about the feeling that the government remembers us during festivals,” said Rekha Sahu, a daily wage earner in Jabalpur.

 Madhya Pradesh’s Broader Push for Women Empowerment

This move aligns with other initiatives launched under the BJP-led Madhya Pradesh government to support women:

• CM Kanya Vivah Yojana: Financial assistance for the marriage of daughters in low-income families.

• Ladli Lakshmi Yojana: Encouraging girl child education and birth registration.

• Self-help Group (SHG) Empowerment Program: Access to microcredit and skill training.

Through these schemes, the government is trying to address not only poverty but also gender inequality at multiple levels.

 Ladli Behna Yojana: Eligibility, Registration & Future Enhancements

Eligibility Criteria:

• Female citizens of Madhya Pradesh

• Age group: 21 to 60 years

• Annual family income should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh

• Should not be an income taxpayer

• Not employed in a government job

 Registration Process:

1. Visit the Ladli Behna Portal or nearby Gram Panchayat/Common Service Center

2. Submit documents: Aadhaar card, bank details, income certificate

3. Application review & beneficiary list verification

4. Monthly credit begins after successful approval

The government may soon integrate Aadhaar authentication and mobile alerts for enhanced transparency.

 Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Ladli Behna Yojana?

According to sources in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the government is exploring the possibility of:

• Raising the monthly assistance to ₹1,500 permanently

• Adding a health insurance cover of ₹1 lakh per family

• Inclusion of skill development modules for long-term financial independence

These measures, if implemented, would further reinforce the scheme’s objective to offer not just aid, but empowerment.

CM Mohan Yadav’s announcement of an additional ₹250 Raksha Bandhan bonus under the Ladli Behna Yojana is a strategic mix of emotional outreach and economic support. While the financial amount may be modest, the message is loud and clear: the state values its women citizens and intends to stand by them—economically, socially, and culturally.

With elections around the corner and inflationary pressures still felt across households, such measures are not just populist; they are timely and necessary.