Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Minister for women and child development Nirmala Bhuria said that the state budget for 2025-26 gives top priority to women and children and would empower women. Anubha Munjare, Congress MLA from Balghat, is of the opinion that budget has dumped the Ladli Behna Yojana, which had contributed immensely to the BJP’s victory in the assembly elections. Free Press spoke to some women politicians to know how they see the budget for the next fiscal year.

Excerpts:

Top priority to women, children 

The development of women and children has been given top priority in this budget. This effort of the government will not only promote social empowerment but will also play an important role in the overall development of the state. A total budget provision of Rs. 27, 147 crores has been made for Women and Child Development for the financial year 2025-26.

A provision of Rs 1183 crore has been made in the 'Laadli Laxmi' scheme, Rs 3729 crore in Anganwadi Services (Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0) and Rs 1166 crore in the 'Special Nutrition Diet' scheme. A provision of Rs 124 crore has been in the Integrated Child Protection Scheme. The budget is focused on poor welfare, youth power, farmers and women power.

-Nirmala Bhuria, Women and Child Development Minister

Jan Virodhi 

This is ‘Jan Virodhi’ budget.  The state government has presented the budget just to gain accolades. They have no programme for the welfare for the farmers, women empowerment specially girls’ education, and to provide employment to jobless people.  The government is in loss but the finance minister Jagdish Devda Ji didn’t mention in the budget that how will Madhya Pradesh get rid from debt. 

The government is not fulfilling their promises which they did with women, farmers and youth.  They won the assembly election 2023 just because of Ladli Behna Yojna but they have yet to increase the amount of the scheme from Rs 1250 to Rs 3000. This is cheating with women - the half population of society.      

- Anubha Munjare , Congress MLA, Balaghat

Focus on women, youth, poor    

The budget is focused on women, youth and the poor.  In fact, it is very good for women's welfare. The budget allocation for the Women and Child Development Department is very good. It shows that our government is thinking a lot about the welfare of women and children as well.

Our government is working a lot for women by providing Rs 1250 to Ladli Behna and now they are planning to provide employment to them. A budget for farmers and crops have also been proposed which will improve the financial condition of peasants. There are also lots of provisions to provide jobs to youth.   

-Seema Shivhare, BJP, Women District president, Shivpuri