Bhopal, Jan 12: Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that women would have to prove their mettle in shedding their image as feeble and helpless. He was addressing 'Women Empowerment Conference' at Betul. It is vital since the responsibility of basic development of the entire generation rests on the shoulders of women. He said that Madhya Pradesh is the only state in the country, which has implemented schemes to help a girl right from her birth to marriage and to her becoming a mother. Other states are also following the schemes started by Madhya Pradesh for women's uplift and empowerment. The Chief Minister said that women would have to change their style of thinking. They would have to move out from the four walls of their houses to avail the benefits of these schemes. He said that an educated and self-reliant woman cannot be exploited in any field.

The Chief Minister shed light in detail on the programmes and schemes launched by the state government during the last four years such as Ladli Laxmi Yojana, Bal Sanjivani Abhiyan, Shaktimaan Project, Muskan Project, institutional delivery, pre-natal help to poor women and other welfare schemes for women and girls. He said that we have honoured women by reserving jobs for them in government service, forest committees and civic bodies. On this occasion he congratulated Betul district for achieving 310 percent success in the implementation of Ladli Laxmi Yojana. He said that now Madhya Pradesh government is eyeing 100 percent institutional deliveries and soon we would achieve this target also.

Former Union minister Ms Sushma Swaraj, who was also present on the occasion, said that an unprecedented change would occur in the lives of women by the programmes and schemes implemented by Madhya Pradesh government. She said that these scheme should be publicised on a large scale and canvas so that even women living in remotest areas do not remain unaware about these welfare schemes.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Chouhan distributed National Savings Certificates in 535 cases under Ladli Laxmi Yojana. Cash and certificates were distributed among 6 beneficiaries of Bal Sanjivani Abhiyan, 3 under Shaktimaan Yojana, 3 under Ladli Laxmi Yojana, 5 under RCH, 3 for winning sewing competition, 5 for cocoon rearing, 5 under Gramya Yojana and 3 under the scheme of pre-natal financial assistance for women. Chouhan also released a booklet focusing on Ladli Laxmi Yojana.

The Chief Minister sanctioned Rs one crore sanction for construction of an under-bridge near Ganj railway station in Betul city. He also announced to allot Nazul land for construction of a sports stadium and upgrading three high schools to higher secondary schools. The Chief Minister instructed to conduct survey for construction of three dams as demanded by the Members of Parliament from Betul district.

He also sanctioned Rs 50000 from Mukhyamantri Swechha Anudan to relatives of Ms Urmalia Bai of village Dulria in Multai Tehsil who tried to immolate herself at collector office and ordered suspension of the then DSP AJK DR Mahajan.