Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav said that sisters and daughters are the pride and joy of every home. Ensuring their dignity, respect and economic empowerment is the government’s top priority. He said that Raksha Bandhan comes only once a year, but the government fulfils its commitment to protect and support women every month. The Chief Minister said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Ladli Behna beneficiaries are receiving monthly financial assistance. He described Maihar as a magnificent place blessed by Maa Sharda. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav noted that Alha-Udal, symbols of Bundelkhand’s valour, were ardent devotees of Maa Sharda. He said Indian culture has a tradition of generosity and respect for relationships, and guided by the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, India considers the entire world its family. The Chief Minister said,“Today, from Maihar, we have given the Ladli Behnas a Naihar ki Neg—a special gift from their Mayaka.”
CM Dr. Yadav was addressing the State-Level Ladli Behna Sammelan held in Maihar on Wednesday. Earlier, he offered prayers at Maa Sharda Bhawani Temple in Maihar. He, along with national hockey players from the district, Sushri Ananya Avadhiya and Sushri Unnati Pandey, transferred the 39th instalment under the Chief Minister Ladli Behna Scheme, with a special Raksha Bandhan shagun of ₹250, taking the total assistance to ₹1,750 per beneficiary, into the bank accounts of more than 1.25 crore (12.513 million) Ladli Behnas through a single click. A total of ₹2,148 crore was transferred.
Since the launch of the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana in June 2023, a total of ₹63,248 crore has been transferred to beneficiaries through 39 instalments up to August 2026. A budget provision of ₹23,882.81 crore has been made for the scheme for the financial year 2026-27.
Government Will Never Compromise on Women's Dignity
CM Dr. Yadav said that during Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s tenure, the Indian Armed Forces have been strengthened to protect the honour and dignity of women. The thread of Raksha Bandhan symbolises the bond of love between brothers and sisters. He said, "The state government will never compromise on the dignity of women."
Under the Ladli Behna Scheme, financial assistance is being transferred to sisters every month. The government is receiving the blessings of 1.25 crore Ladli Behnas. Every year, an additional shagun of ₹250 is also transferred to women ahead of Raksha Bandhan.
CM Dr. Yadav inaugurated and performed Bhoomi Poojan for 25 development works worth more than ₹256 crore in Maihar district. He inaugurated the State-Level Ladli Behna Sammelan at Ustad Alauddin Khan Stadium by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The Chief Minister also visited an exhibition showcasing the district’s development activities, programmes and achievements under various government schemes.
More Than ₹1.14 Lakh Crore to be Provided to Ladli Behnas Over Five Years
CM Dr. Yadav said that women nurture and strengthen their parental homes and, after marriage, shoulder the responsibilities of their entire marital families. He said, “Their sacrifice is worthy of the highest respect.” The Chief Minister described mothers, sisters and daughters as the pillars of Indian families, noting that mothers often put aside their own concerns to care for the entire family. The state Cabinet has decided to continue providing financial assistance to Ladli Behna beneficiaries for the next five years. More than ₹1.14 lakh crore will be provided to women during this period. The assistance under the Ladli Behna Scheme helps families meet their day-to-day needs. The state government is taking every possible step to empower women. Women are becoming economically empowered through self-help groups. He informed, “Women working in employment-oriented industries will also receive an additional ₹5,000 benefit in their wages.”
Development of Religious Places Across the State
CM Dr. Yadav said that after the development of Mahakal Lok, the state government has resolved to develop important religious sites across Madhya Pradesh. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, works worth ₹3,000 crore have been approved for the Shri Ram Van Gaman Path, ensuring the uninterrupted flow of the Mandakini River in Chitrakoot and other development works. The foundation stone for the first phase of the Maa Sharda Lok project in Maihar, costing ₹9 crore, was also laid today.
CM Dr. Yadav said that following the elimination of Naxalism in the state, the government is now intensifying its campaign against drug abuse. Liquor shops have been closed at 19 religious places. The government is committed to protecting future generations from addiction, he said.
He added, “Drug abuse destroys generations. Family members should maintain continuous dialogue with children to keep them away from addiction and secure their better future.”
Irrigation Facilities to be Expanded for Farmers
CM Dr. Yadav said that during the Krishak Kalyan Varsh, the state government is continuously expanding the area under irrigation. Farmers in the Vindhya region will benefit from water supplied through the Bargi Canal. Farmers will receive electricity for irrigation during the daytime as well as at night. To increase farmers’ incomes, dairy farming and animal husbandry are being promoted, he said.
33% Reservation for Women in Lok Sabha and Assemblies
CM Dr. Yadav said that the state government has passed a resolution supporting the implementation of 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and Legislative Assemblies.
Major Announcements by the Chief Minister
To accelerate ongoing development works in Maihar district, CM Dr. Yadav made the following announcements:
A 132 kV substation will be constructed at Badera Pahad in Maihar district.
A modern stadium will be constructed in Maihar at a cost of ₹25 crore.
The Lilji Reservoir will be renovated at a cost of ₹50 crore.
A large, fully equipped hospital will be constructed in Maihar.
A large gaushala with a capacity for 5,000 cattle will be constructed in Maihar.
An ITI institute will be established at Ghungwara and the existing school will be upgraded.
All Alha singer committees participating in the Ladli Behna Conference will receive a cash award of ₹25,000 each.
Inauguration and Foundation Stone-Laying
CM Dr. Yadav inaugurated the following projects in Maihar district:
Sandipani School in Maihar — ₹48.24 crore
Government College building at Tala — ₹7.58 crore
30-seat boys’ hostel and residential facility at Amarpatan — ₹3.44 crore
Road construction works at Bathiya-Chorhata, Bandhi Bairagal, Khamaria-Panhia-Kushmhi-Jukehi and Gram Panchayat Jamtal — ₹21.11 crore
1,069 development works under the Jal Ganga Sanvardhan Abhiyan in Maihar, Amarpatan and Ramnagar Janpad Panchayats — more than ₹19 crore
Police Control Room — ₹2.51 crore
New Government High School building at Jura — ₹1.47 crore
Parshuram Dharamshala building — ₹59 lakh
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also performed Bhoomi Poojan for 12 development works worth ₹151.30 crore, including the ₹54-crore Dhanwahi Micro Irrigation Project in Maihar, which will provide
irrigation to 3,500 hectares of land. He also performed Bhoomi Poojan for a Sandipani School in Ramnagar, costing ₹41 crore, and the first phase of development works for Sharda Mata Lok, costing approximately ₹9 crore.Panchayat and Rural Development Minister of State and Maihar district’s Guardian Minister, Smt. Radha Singh, said that Maihar had received major development projects ahead of Raksha Bandhan. She noted that the foundation stone for the first phase of the Maa Sharda Lok project had also been laid and said the district was witnessing rapid development with the blessings of Maa Sharda.
MP Shri Ganesh Singh said that CM Dr. Yadav had introduced an initiative under the Jan Vishwas Abhiyan to address people’s grievances every Friday, describing it as a first-of-its-kind initiative in India. He said that before Raksha Bandhan, Ladli Behna beneficiaries across the state had received a gift of ₹1,750 from the sacred precincts of Maa Sharda Devi. He said work on the Bargi Canal had progressed rapidly under the leadership of CM Dr. Yadav and would benefit Maihar and the wider Vindhya region. MP Shri Singh also highlighted the Bhoomi Poojan for the first phase of Maa Sharda Devi Lok and said Maihar had received development projects worth more than ₹250 crore. MP Shri Singh added that the Indian Navy had decided to establish a training centre at Bansagar. He expressed gratitude to CM Dr. Yadav for these initiatives and urged that Maihar and Satna districts also be included in the Tiger Corridor.
Maihar MLA Shri Shrikant Chaturvedi said that Maihar was a newly created district and needed a ring road outside the city, a hospital, a college and an Olympic-level stadium. He said development had remained stalled in Maihar for nearly two decades, but the district was now progressing rapidly.
Minister of State for Urban Development and Housing Smt. Pratima Bagri, former minister Shri Ramkhelawan Patel, MLA Shri Vikram Singh, MLA Shri Surendra Singh Geharwar, Zila Panchayat President Shri Ramkhelawan Singh Kol, Vindhya Development Authority Chairman Dr. Ajay Singh, Chitrakoot Development Authority Chairman Shri Vikas Yadav, social worker Smt. Nandita Pathak, District President Shri Kamlesh Sohane and several other public representatives, along with a large number of Ladli Behna beneficiaries, were present at the programme.
