The Chhattisgarh government has given a major gift to women ahead of Raksha Bandhan. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has released the installment for the Mahtari Vandan Yojana ahead of schedule. Consequently, eligible women are receiving ₹1,000 in their accounts before the festival. On August 25, CM Vishnu Deo attended the 'Matru Shakti Samman Samaroh' (Maternal Power Honor Ceremony) in Balod district, where he released the funds for the scheme. The government stated that the money would be transferred to women's bank accounts before Raksha Bandhan, ensuring eligible women receive financial assistance prior to the festival.

Under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana, eligible women receive financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month directly into their bank accounts. The government's objective with this scheme is to empower women to become self-reliant by providing them with monthly financial aid. Women are free to spend this money however they choose.

**Which women are eligible for the Mahtari Vandan Yojana?**
The benefits of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana are extended to local women of Chhattisgarh. Eligibility extends to married, widowed, divorced, and abandoned women. For married women, the condition is that they must be at least 21 years of age as of January 1st of the year in which the application is made. Required documents include an Aadhaar card, a mobile number, and a bank account; the mobile number must be linked to the bank account.

**What are the benefits of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana?**
Eligible women receive a monthly payment of ₹1,000 directly into their accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Additionally, for women receiving a pension of less than ₹1,000 under social assistance pension schemes, the scheme covers the shortfall; for instance, if a woman receives a pension of ₹600, an additional ₹400 is provided under the Mahtari Vandan Yojana.

It is worth noting that the Chhattisgarh government is preparing to expand the scope of the Mahtari Vandan Yojana. Reports suggest that the government is drafting a proposal to include three additional categories in the scheme. The proposal includes unmarried women with disabilities, transgender individuals, and women over the age of 40. Once the proposal is approved, a monthly sum of ₹1,000 will be deposited into the accounts of women belonging to these three categories.

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