Congress Alleges "Betrayal" as 5 Lakh Women are Dropped from Chhattisgarh Welfare Plan

Chhattisgarh’s Mahatari Vandan Yojana, a flagship women’s welfare program launched by the Vishnu Deo Sai-led BJP government, has ignited a fierce political controversy. Initially hailed as a game-changer for women’s empowerment, the scheme, which provides Rs 1,000 monthly to women over 21, has seen nearly five lakh beneficiaries removed from its rolls within months, prompting accusations of betrayal from the opposition.

Launched virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2024 with a Rs 655.57 crore transfer to over 70.12 lakh women, the scheme was a key BJP promise in the 2023 elections. Yet, by the 20th installment in October 2025, only 64.94 lakh women received payments, a drop of roughly five lakh beneficiaries. The Congress has seized on this, accusing the BJP of sidelining women voters who supported them. “The BJP promised every woman would benefit, but now thousands are excluded without clear reasons,” said Congress spokesperson Dhananjay Singh Thakur, demanding transparency on the removed names.

Affected women across Raipur, Durg, Korba, and Surguja report halted or delayed payments. “The money stopped coming this month. Diwali is near, and we’re struggling,” said Sangeeta Dubey from Raipur. Renu Kumari from Dhamtari noted her payments resumed briefly after resubmitting documents but stopped again. Momina Khatoon from Bilaspur hasn’t received funds for four months, reflecting widespread frustration among beneficiaries left without explanation.

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The state government refutes claims of mismanagement. Women and Child Development Minister Lakshmi Rajwade explained that the reduction stems from routine verification: 64,858 deceased beneficiaries, 707 voluntary opt-outs, and 40,728 duplicate entries were removed, while nearly four lakh women await bank e-KYC completion. “Payments will resume once verification is complete, and the portal will reopen for new beneficiaries,” Rajwade assured, denying any budget cuts or intentional exclusions.

Critics, however, argue that the government’s “verification” process is effectively exclusionary, leaving genuine beneficiaries in limbo due to administrative delays. For women like Sangeeta and Momina, the issue transcends politics. “If payments reached us before elections, why not now when we need it?” Sangeeta asked. As the festive season looms, the disappearance of five lakh women from the Mahatari Vandan Yojana’s list remains a contentious issue, with the government calling it a procedural necessity and the opposition labeling it a broken promise.

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