‘If this continues, you will have to sit at home’: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis loses his cool after repeated mention of Ladki Bahin scheme in legislative debates
Devendra Fadnavis said legislators should not politicise the Ladki Bahin scheme, a significant initiative that provides eligible women aged 21 to 65 with Rs 1,500 per month.
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis sternly warned legislators against repeatedly mentioning the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' during discussions of unrelated issues in the Assembly. (File)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis warned both ruling and Opposition legislators Tuesday for repeatedly bringing up the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana while discussing unrelated issues during the Legislative Assembly’s Question Hour.
“If this continues, you will have to sit at home,” Fadnavis said in a stern voice inside the Assembly. Ironically, he snubbed fellow BJP MLA Abhimanyu Pawar.
The Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a scheme of the Maharashtra government that provides eligible women aged 21 to 65 with an annual income of less than 2.50 lakh with Rs 1,500 per month directly into their bank accounts.
Abhimanyu Pawar, a two-term MLA who earlier served as Fadnavis’s personal assistant, raised the issue of alleged illegal liquor distribution and made a passing reference to the Ladki Bahin scheme. The chief minister immediately interrupted him and warned him.
“I have already asked members not to mention the Ladki Bahin Yojana while raising unrelated concerns randomly,” he said, leading to surprised silence in the Assembly.
Earlier, during the Question Hour, Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad mentioned the scheme while debating the issue of the death of a female doctor in Phaltan. It forced the CM to advise legislators not to link the scheme to every issue under discussion. Fadnavis asserted that the programme was a major state initiative and should not be dragged into unrelated subjects for political purposes.
“This scheme will continue. It will not take away funds or resources from any other programme. But no one should make unnecessary remarks about it,” he said.
The scheme was launched by the previous Mahayuti government led by Eknath Shinde, which provided every eligible woman with a monthly instalment of Rs 1,500. Although the scheme has imposed an additional financial burden on the state exchequer, it is said to have played a significant role in Mahayuti’s impressive victory in the 2024 Assembly elections.
Criticism from Opposition, allies
While the Opposition has criticised the scheme in the past and even termed it a ‘scheme to buy votes’, it has also received criticism from ruling allies.
In October, minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Chhagan Bhujbal said that the implementation of the scheme has affected other government schemes. (https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ladki-bahin-schemes-departments-fund-crunch-bhujbal-10291550/)
“I feel that the expenditure on the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme is affecting the implementation of this (The Anandacha Shidha initiative providing ration kits). Because almost Rs 40,000 to 45,000 crore is spent on this scheme, allocating for it will surely affect elsewhere. In addition, funds will be required to provide compensation packages to flood-affected regions. Therefore, some things cannot be done this year,” said Bhujbal.
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Stating that he cannot comment on the future of the scheme, he further said, “One thing is sure, that all departments are facing the fund crunch. Departments like PWD and others had a backlog of Rs 84,000 crore. We discussed in the cabinet that, despite our awarding the works, the contractors are not carrying them out. And instead, they want us to pay the dues. There are difficulties. If we go on distributing money like this, then financial problems will arise,” he added.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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