In a groundbreaking move, the Madhya Pradesh government unveiled a progressive policy on Tuesday, reserving a remarkable 35% of government positions for women during the initial recruitment stage. This significant announcement follows the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and was formally communicated through a notification by the General Administration Department.
It is imperative to note that this visionary 35% quota will be applicable across all government departments, with the exception of the Forest Department. The notification explicitly states, “Notwithstanding anything contained in any service rules, there shall be reserved thirty five per cent of all posts in the service under the state (except Forest Department) in favour of women at the stage of direct recruitment, and the said reservation shall be horizontal and compartment-wise.”
This remarkable development aligns with the government’s unwavering commitment to promoting women-centric initiatives across the state. The state of Madhya Pradesh has been a trailblazer in its efforts to empower women, being the first state to introduce a 50% reservation for women in elections to panchayats and urban bodies. Furthermore, the state has established a 30% reservation for women in the police force and offers preferential tariffs for property registrations in a woman’s name.
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Madhya Pradesh has also implemented the Mukyamantri Kanyadaan Yojana, a scheme aimed at supporting marriages. However, the Ladli Behna Yojana stands out as the most extensive pro-women initiative, benefiting a remarkable 13.2 million women across the state with a monthly grant of Rs 1,250.
This historic decision underscores Madhya Pradesh’s commitment to gender equality and the relentless pursuit of empowering women in every sector of public service. It’s a momentous step forward in creating a more inclusive and equitable workforce, setting a compelling example for the rest of the nation to follow.
