In April, beneficiaries received ₹1,250 on the 16th, which raised concerns among the 1.27 crore women covered under the scheme. Initially, the delay was attributed to the start of the new financial year. However, officials have now confirmed that the payment schedule has been officially shifted.
Earlier, the payment was made between the 1st and 10th of each month. Now, funds will be transferred by the 15th of every month. This change is a part of a revised payment cycle.
The main reason is to manage the state’s cash flow. The Madhya Pradesh government is dependent on the tax devolution funds it receives from the central government.
Under the 2025–26 Union Budget, Madhya Pradesh is expected to receive ₹1.11 lakh crore through tax devolution.
The Ladli Behna Scheme requires around ₹1,550 crore per month.
The central government releases devolution in 14 installments annually, typically reaching the state by the 10th of each month.
To align with this timeline, the state has postponed its Ladli Behna payments to after receiving central funds.
The government has clarified that there will be no changes to the scheme itself, only the timing of the payment has changed. The scheme will continue to credit funds directly into women’s bank accounts as usual.
Launched in March 2023, ahead of the state assembly elections, the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana is Madhya Pradesh’s largest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.
Initially, the monthly benefit was ₹1,000.
In 2023, this amount was increased to ₹1,250.
The government had indicated a gradual increase to ₹3,000 per month, but that is yet to be implemented.
