Chief Minister Mohan Yadav jokes about heavy cost of Ladli Behna scheme during Bhopal event

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav joked at a public event in Bhopal that the Ladli Behna financial support scheme has become very expensive for the state treasury. The lighthearted moment happened at the Ravindra Bhavan during a cultural gathering called Bundeli Bauchaar, where serious topics like youth employment were under discussion. A young Bundeli content creator named Binnu Rani asked the Chief Minister what plans he has for young girls, referred to as Binnus, after doing so much for women. Responding with a smile, Chief Minister Yadav said that people do not realize how expensive the Ladli Behna program turned out to be, adding that it was an inside secret and he did not know he would face such a heavy financial burden immediately after taking office. The remark filled the hall with laughter and applause from the audience. He then jokingly told Binnu Rani that she is still too young for the scheme and will get its benefits after growing older. While speaking about the financial realities of running the government, the Chief Minister noted that the monthly payout started at one thousand rupees and has now grown to fifteen hundred rupees. He also made it clear that despite initial money troubles, the state administration will not step back from taking decisions that help women. Government data from September 2026 shows that about one point twenty-five crore women across the state receive benefits from this program, though more than six lakh twenty-five thousand names have been removed from the list since the scheme started in 2023.

Context

Financial welfare schemes directed at women have become a major part of governance and political outreach across many Indian states in recent years. Governments often balance large public support payouts with ongoing state budget pressures. This public exchange highlights the common political dialogue around the rising costs of running mass welfare programs.