The Madhya Pradesh government will soon provide cows at subsidised rates to beneficiaries of the flagship 'Ladli Behna' scheme to boost the state's milk production and financially empower women, Minister of State for Animal Husbandry and Dairying Lakhan Patel announced on Thursday.
Government plan to distribute cows under Ladli Behna scheme
Patel told PTI Videos that women enrolled in the Mukhyamantri Ladli Bahna Yojana, which currently provides monthly assistance of Rs 1,500, will be eligible for the subsidised cow scheme. He stated, “I have requested the chief minister to extend the subsidised cow scheme to the beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna programme. This is a great plan, and CM Mohan Yadav will announce it soon.”
The minister emphasised that the initiative would increase milk production in Madhya Pradesh and strengthen women economically. “Only when we have more milk-producing cows and buffaloes will we become a milk hub,” he said.
Milk production data and political response
According to central government data released in November 2025, Madhya Pradesh is the third-largest milk-producing state in India, behind Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. The new scheme aims to further elevate the state's dairy output.
Senior Congress leader Manak Agarwal dismissed the move as an election gimmick, noting that the current assembly term ends in December 2028. He said, “As elections approach, these people will start fooling the innocent. The then chief minister Shivraj Singh had promised to give Rs 3,000 under Ladli Behna, which has not yet happened. They will not do any important work. They will only give excuses.”
Scheme impact and financial disbursement
Officials highlighted that the Ladli Behna scheme has become a foundation of economic security, confidence, and respect for women. Regular financial assistance has increased women's participation in family decision-making, improved nutrition and health levels, and strengthened their economic role in both rural and urban areas.
Since its launch in June 2023, the government has transferred a total of Rs 55,926.51 crore to 1.22 crore women beneficiaries through 35 monthly instalments up to April 2026, an official said.
