'Over 20 lakh girls benefitted by 'Ladli Laxmi' scheme in MP'

More than 20 lakh girls have benefitted due to Madhya Pradesh government's ambitious 'Ladli Laxmi scheme' since its inception in 2006, state Minister Maya Singh said here today.
The scheme was launched by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan during the first Mahila Panchayat held at his residence.
"In 2006 Mahila Panchayat, a total of 14 announcements, including that of 'Ladli Laxmi scheme' which is aimed at, among other things, bridging the skewed sex ratio, were made and all of them now stand fulfilled," said Singh, who heads the Women and Child Development portfolio.
The scheme has so far benefitted 20 lakh girls and has been emulated by seven states, she said.

The Minister said the scheme has successfully changed the "orthodox" mindset of people towards the girl child in the state. "Now people do not consider girls as a burden," she added.
The scheme has helped a lot in establishing a proper system that ensures education and marriage of the girl child. Besides, a system was also developed in a transparent manner to provide nutritional diet in Anganwadis.

Referring to other announcements made by the CM in 2006, the Minister said the government has effected a 50 per cent reservation for women in contesting local bodies elections, which has resulted in 1,63,740 women representatives getting elected.

These empowered women are taking active participation in ensuring development of their respective cities, towns and villages, the Minister said.
The CM had also announced for making a provision of 'Gender Budget' focused on empowering women and as a part of it, separate gender budgets were created in 25 departments, she said, adding that Madhya Pradesh is the first such state to pass separate gender budget in the Legislative Assembly.
Chouhan had also announced Rs 1 lakh prize for any person on whose information female infanticide is checked. Under the scheme, Rs 50,000 is given soon after those indulged in the crime are caught and the rest after legal action is taken against the culprits.

"The scheme has been successfully implemented in the state and has a lot of positive impact on society," the Minister said.
Similarly, Chouhan had also announced 30 per cent reservation for women in police force and the same is being implemented.
Besides, women desks are established in 141 police stations and a women helpline 1090 was also started, so that women can file their complaints without any fear, as announced by Chouhan, the Minister added.