A video of the incident has emerged, clearly showing flames erupting from the hot air balloon while CM Mohan Yadav was onboard. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire, though alarming, was quickly brought under control, preventing any serious harm. The Chief Minister appeared calm during the incident and was immediately evacuated by his security personnel and local authorities.
Cruise ride before the scare
Just a day before the incident, CM Yadav enjoyed a scenic cruise ride on the Chambal River at Gandhi Sagar. He praised the natural beauty of the region, calling it a future tourism hotspot for Madhya Pradesh. The Chief Minister even hummed songs during the cruise, creating a relaxed and joyful atmosphere for all present.
He remarked, "The serene waters and lush surroundings of Chambal will give a new identity to Madhya Pradesh’s tourism sector. This pristine environment will not only attract tourists but also bring peace to nature lovers."
Big announcements for Ladli Behna Yojana
During his Mandsaur visit, CM Mohan Yadav made several key announcements regarding the Ladli Behna Yojana:
- Monthly assistance under the scheme will be increased from Rs 1,250 to Rs 1,500 after Diwali.
- By 2028, the amount will be gradually raised to Rs 3,000 per month.
- On this occasion, Rs 1,541 crore was transferred to the bank accounts of 1.26 crore women beneficiaries.
The CM also took a dig at the opposition, saying: "Congress leaders feel pain when we honour our sisters. Claiming that women use this money to buy alcohol is an insult, and the state will not tolerate it."
Massive budget allocation for women
According to officials, a special budget of Rs 27,147 crore has been allocated for women-centric schemes, with Rs 18,699 crore earmarked for the Ladli Behna Yojana alone. The scheme, launched on June 10, 2023, has seen massive outreach across the state.
Verification drive before payment hike
Ahead of the planned increase in financial assistance, the government is preparing a statewide verification drive. Women who do not meet eligibility criteria may be removed from the beneficiary list. Authorities also plan to provide a self-opt-out option for those willing to withdraw from the scheme voluntarily.
Additional welfare measures
Apart from the Ladli Behna scheme, the CM also announced:
- Rs 320.89 crore disbursed to 53.48 lakh social security pension beneficiaries
- Rs 48 crore transferred to 31 lakh women as LPG refill subsidies
While the hot air balloon fire incident raised serious safety concerns, the swift action taken ensured that Chief Minister Mohan Yadav remained unharmed. His visit to Mandsaur was marked not only by this narrow escape but also by major welfare announcements, particularly for women. As the state gears up for more development and tourism initiatives, Mandsaur has once again found itself in the national spotlight — for both challenge and change.
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