Madhya Pradesh Unveils Monthly Assistance for Unemployed Youth: A Step Towards Inclusive Welfare

The Madhya Pradesh government has launched a new initiative offering monthly stipends to unemployed youth—₹6,000 for women and ₹5,000 for men—to support skill development through industrial internships. The scheme complements existing welfare programs like the Ladli Behna Yojana, expanding its scope to include male beneficiaries under the informal tag ‘Ladli Bhaiyo’.

Background

Madhya Pradesh has a large youth demographic, with over 1.5 crore young individuals, including 1.53 crore aged 20–30. Addressing unemployment and skill mismatch has long been a priority. Earlier attempts, like the Yuva Swabhiman Rojgar Yojana (2019), offered urban job guarantees with ₹4,000 stipends but were discontinued due to administrative changes.

Objectives

The primary goals of this new initiative are,

• To provide financial support to unemployed youth.
• To encourage industrial internships that improve practical skills.
• To strengthen the industrial ecosystem by creating a skilled workforce.

Key Features

• Monthly stipend: ₹6,000 for women and ₹5,000 for men.
• Open to youth interning in industries registered under the scheme.
• Integrated with Ladli Behna Yojana, where beneficiaries will now receive ₹1,500/month post-Diwali, gradually increasing to ₹3,000 by 2028.
• Special provisions for festival-time incentives.
• The Acharpura Industrial Area, near Bhopal, is being developed as a special industrial hub.

Significance

This move reflects a gender-sensitive welfare approach, encouraging women’s participation in the workforce. By involving industries, it aligns employment with economic development, ensuring that youth gain on-the-job training while earning support income.