Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav turned a government event organised on Wednesday in Maihar into an emotional celebration of sisterhood on Tuesday, singing the popular Bollywood song ‘Phoolon Ka Taron Ka…’ for women beneficiaries and announcing an additional ₹250 as a Rakhi gift.

At a grand programme held in Maihar district on August 19, CM Dr Yadav transferred ₹2,148 crore into the bank accounts of more than 1.25 crore beneficiaries of the state’s Ladli Behna scheme. Along with their regular monthly instalment of ₹1,500, the women received an additional ₹250 as a special gift for the month of Sawan.

MP CM Dr Mohan Yadav at the Ladli Behena event

The Chief Minister also performed the foundation-laying and inauguration of development projects worth more than ₹256 crore. He showered flower petals on the women beneficiaries, distributed benefits under various welfare schemes and visited exhibitions organised by different government departments.

Among those present at the event were promising Maihar hockey players Ananya Avadhiya and Unnati Pandey. Members of the Jan Abhiyan Parishad also presented Yadav with a giant rakhi.

‘We celebrate Rakhi every month’

Addressing the gathering, CM Dr Yadav said Rakhi was celebrated once a year, but his government marked the bond with women beneficiaries every month by transferring financial assistance under the Ladli Behna scheme.

“Today, I have the thread of love in both my hands. I consider myself fortunate,” he said, adding that the relationship between his government and the women beneficiaries was “extraordinary”.

Recalling the song ‘Phoolon Ka Taron Ka Kehna Hai, Sabka Kehna Hai…’, CM Dr Yadav said his government had received the blessings of more than 1.25 crore women.

He said the government had fulfilled its election promise by regularly transferring money into their accounts and had now decided to provide an additional ₹250 as a Sawan gift.

CM Dr Yadav urged the beneficiaries to use the money to strengthen their families, citing examples of women buying sewing machines and running beauty parlours with financial assistance received under the scheme.

Attack on Congress

The Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack on the Congress, alleging that its leaders had opposed the transfer of money to Ladli Behna beneficiaries. He accused Congress leaders of making derogatory remarks about women beneficiaries and urged them to remember the comments when the next election arrives.

CM Dr Yadav also claimed that women could have received 33% reservation in the state Assembly if Congress had not allegedly obstructed the move.

Focus on development and welfare

Highlighting his government’s development agenda, CM Dr Yadav said a major hospital, an ITI and upgraded schools would be developed in Maihar. He also announced a modern stadium at a cost of ₹25 crore and renovation of the Lilji reservoir at an estimated ₹50 crore.

A large cow shelter with a capacity for 5,000 cattle will also be established in Maihar, he announced. Committees of Alha singers will receive ₹25,000 each.

CM Dr Yadav further said the Narmada canal project, which had faced delays, had finally been completed and that water would now reach villages across the region. He promised daytime electricity supply for farmers during the upcoming crop season and houses for eligible poor families who had been left out of housing schemes.

Women beneficiaries present at the event

‘Country stands tall under PM Modi’

CM Dr Yadav praised Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s leadership, saying India was standing firmly before the world.

He also highlighted the government’s campaign against drugs, saying liquor shops had been shut in 19 religious cities and that the state was committed to protecting future generations from addiction. He said the government had also decided that women would continue receiving financial assistance under the Ladli Behna scheme for the next five years, describing the initiative as part of its commitment to women’s economic empowerment.