Shivraj Chouhan No Longer In Charge, 'Ladli Behnas' Wait For Gas Subsidies

Providing cooking gas cylinders for Rs 450 to beneficiaries of Laadli Behna scheme was part of the BJP's list of promises ahead of Madhya Pradesh polls.

Two months before Madhya Pradesh voted, former Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had promised at an event in Tikamgarh that the women of the state -- he called them "ladli behna" after the scheme by that name -- will get cooking gas cylinders for Rs 450.

There were conditions and eligibility criteria, of course, but the announcement was a big relief for households, especially those with many members. The announcement was also a political move by the BJP veteran, coming right after the Congress's promise to give out cooking gas cylinders for Rs 500 if it came to power.

A month later, women in the state had reason to cheer. They bought a cooking gas cylinder for Rs 910 and received Rs 460 in their bank accounts soon after as subsidy. This meant they paid Rs 450 for the cylinder, in line with the then Chief Minister's promise.