Reported By Varad Bhatkhande
Balewadi, 18th August 2024: The promise fulfilment program of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (The Chief Minister’s ‘My Beloved Sister’ Scheme), launched by the Women and Child Development Department, was organized yesterday at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi, Pune. During the event, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that if Mahayuti is elected in the upcoming elections, the scheme will increase the current amount from Rs 1,500 to Rs 3,000. This statement has sparked numerous reactions across Maharashtra.
For this promise fulfilment program, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was accompanied by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Women & Child Development Aditi Tatkare, Minister of Co-operation Dilip Walse Patil, Minister of Higher & Technical Education Chandrakant Patil, Union Minister of State Murlidhar Mohol, Rajya Sabha MP Dr Medha Kulkarni, MP Shrirang Barne, and Deputy Chairperson of the Maharashtra Legislative Council Neelam Gorhe.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, “If Mahayuti is supported in the upcoming assembly elections, the amount under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme will be increased from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 per month. We have buried those who tried to sabotage this scheme. Show such hypocrites and ‘step-brothers’ their place.”
CM Shinde continued, “In Maharashtra, for the past 50 to 60 years, the Congress government was in power. They did nothing for ordinary women. During the Congress era, when one rupee was allocated as aid, the beneficiaries received only 15 paise per rupee. Thanks to the decision by the Modi government, the entire amount of the scheme is now being deposited directly into women’s accounts. Under the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme launched by the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, women will receive Rs. 1,500 per month and Rs. 18,000 per year.”
CM Shinde further said, “Ever since the scheme was announced, there have been several attempts to undermine it. Many accusations have been made against us, such as claims that this is a fraudulent scheme, that we offer bribes or gifts, or that we are buying women. But how can anyone not feel ashamed making such allegations about our sisters? Thanks to the scheme launched by the Mahayuti government, our sisters will no longer have to beg for assistance.”
CM Shinde concluded by taunting, “Under this scheme, applications received by 31st July are being scrutinized, and the concerned sisters will receive assistance in August. Sisters who apply by 31st August will receive Rs. 3,000 for two months in September. From now on, every month, sisters will get Rs. 1,500 as ‘Parent’s Home’s Blessing.’ While opponents may consider this amount insignificant, those born with a golden spoon can never understand the value of these Rs. 1,500.”
Fadnavis Warns of Scheme Interruptions Under Mahavikas Aghadi
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, in his speech, stated that the Mahayuti Government has initiated schemes benefiting every section of society. However, he expressed concern that these schemes might be halted if the Mahavikas Aghadi government comes into power. Fadnavis also alleged that several schemes he had launched during his tenure as Chief Minister were discontinued after the Mahavikas Aghadi assumed office.