Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan has announced that girls seeking admission to colleges in the state would be provided a sum of Rs 20,000 under the 'Ladali Laxmi Scheme'. The CM has also assured that government will take care of higher education of girls and that arrangements for the same are being made.
"I believe that if the country is to be empowered in the true sense, then empowerment of sisters is necessary. We have decided that if daughters will enter the college, then a lump sum amount of Rs 20,000 will be provided. I assure my daughters that their higher education will also be fully arranged. Necessary financial arrangements will also be made for that," the MP CM tweeted.
Apart from the 'Ladali Laxmi Scheme', there is also 'Pratibha Kiran Scheme' and 'Gaon Ki Beti Scheme' which are being implemented in the state, wherein uniforms, cycles, books etc.. are all provided free of cost. Scholarship is also given for foreign studies, and for marriage, there is a Chief Minister's daughter marriage scheme. Also, there is a 'Maternity Assistance Scheme' through which pregnant women can avail a financial assistance of Rs 4,000 before delivery and Rs 12,000 rupees postpartum.
CM Shivraj also added that 30% posts for women has been reserved by the state government in police recruitment, 50% posts has been reserved in recruitment for teachers and that if a property is registered in the name of a woman, the fee will be only 1%. Also, 50% of seats in the local body elections have also been reserved for women, the CM further said.
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The Chief Minister also said that women police stations have been set up in every district for the protection of daughters and that MP is the first state to have made a provision to give capital punishment to those who rape women. The 'Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2020' has also been enacted to take strict action against those who marry daughters by intimidation and fraud, CM Shivraj said, adding that a 'Muskaan' (Smile) campaign is being run to bring missing daughters back home.
"Mothers-sisters-daughters have been respected in India since time immemorial and they are revered for us. In Indian tradition it is said that where women are worshiped, God resides there. Sisters carry forward of our culture and values of life and that the Indian family system is a matter of wonder for the whole world," CM Shivraj said, adding that respect and safety of our daughters is paramount for us.
