Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that there was a lot of respect and honour for daughters on the land of India, but a time came when daughters were considered a curse.
The foeticide became rampant. Only 900 daughters were born against 1000 sons in the state, he said. Right from the beginning, there was a yearning in my heart to restore the lost respect of the daughters, he said.
Once I was said in a meeting “Do noyt commit foeticide, let the daughters be born”, then an old Amma said will you arrange dowry for the daughters.
At that moment, I took a vow that I will make daughters a boon in Madhya Pradesh. I worked day and night for their welfare and now daughters are a blessing on the land of Madhya Pradesh, he said.
Chouhan was addressing sisters at Ladli Bahna Maha Sammelan in Khandwa today. At the beginning of the programme, letters written by about one lakh sisters were presented to Shivraj Bhaiya. The sisters welcomed CM Chouhan by tying Safa and offering Nimadi Pahravani. The sisters also presented to Chouhan a picture of his made of rakhis.
Chouhan started his address by singing “Phoolon Ka Taron Ka Sabka Kehna Hai, Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Bahna Hai” and concluded it with the the same song. The sisters also sang in harmony with their Shivraj bhaiya.
Chouhan said that today a large number of sisters of the state have shown me their faith by writing letter and tying rakhi, I will not let it break. I will follow this bond of raw thread for the rest of my life. I will live for my sisters and if I have to die for them, I will not back down in that too.
Chouhan said that many schemes are operated in the state for the welfare of sisters and daughters. Ladli Laxmi Yojana was first made in the state. Savings certificates are bought at the time of birth of daughters, through which they get money from time to time and on completion of 21 years they get one lakh rupees. Mukhya Mantri Kanya Vivah / Nikah scheme is going on for the marriage of poor daughters. More than half of the sisters are elected representatives in the panchayat and urban bodies. Sisters are also given 50 percent reservation in the recruitment of teachers. Sisters get 30 percent reservation in police recruitment. If a property is purchased in the name of sister, then there will be exemption in stamp duty. Pradhan Mantri Awas is approved in the name of both husband and wife. Land to live on is being given to every poor in the state. The wife’s name is mandatory in the lease for this.
Chouhan said that he is the real brother of all the sisters of the state. Brother gifts his sister once a year in the month of Sawan on Rakhi. I too wanted to give gifts to my sisters, but I thought this gift should be given every month instead of once in a year.
The Chief Minister said that once he woke up at 4 in the morning and told his wife that he had a scheme for the sisters, in which they should be given an amount of Rs one thousand every month to make them self-dependent. With this thought, the Ladli Behna Yojana came into being.
Chouhan said that Ladli Bahna Yojana will change the lives of sisters. The benefit of this scheme will be given to every family the annual income of which is less than Rs 2.5 lakh, that does not own 5 acres or more of land and does not own a four-wheeler.
Family means husband, wife and children. For this, the age of the beneficiary should be between 23 and 60. Forms will be filled in the scheme by April 30 and money will start coming into the accounts of the beneficiary women from June 10.
Chouhan said that women should take advantage of this scheme and help other women to get it as well. Ladli Bahna should form an army in every village and ward and extend full co-operation in the implementation of the scheme.
Chouhan administered oath to all the women present in the programme to support their brother in the development of the state.
The Chief Minister visited the exhibition at the programme venue. He also tasted tea and laddoos at the stall of a woman self-help group.
The Chief Minister also danced with the local artists in the Mahila Sammelan.
District in-charge and Tourism and Culture Minister Usha Thakur, Forest Minister Dr. Kunwar Vijay Shah, MP Dnyaneshwar Patil, public representatives and a large number of women were present. The welcome address was given by MLA Devendra Verma.
