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No fund for subsidies in other sectors, Ladki Bahin Yojana taking away all funds: Nitin Gadkari

Union minister Nitin Gadkari says the government is like a ‘vishkanya’ (poison maiden) and investors should steer clear of it.

State BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, “The Lok Sabha poll outcome cannot be equated to Assembly polls. We took measures to address the flaws. That put us in a commanding position.” (PTI Photo)

Senior BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari has called the government a vishkanya (poisonous maiden) and urged people not to rely solely on it for investment, citing the financial burden imposed on the Maharashtra Government by its Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

“There is absolutely no certainty whether investors will receive their subsidy payment on time. As it is, the Government has to provide huge funds for the Ladki Bahin Yojana,” Gadkari said at an event in Nagpur on Sunday, referring to the flagship scheme to give women Rs 1,500 in monthly aid.

“Often I come across individuals who ask me when we will get our compensation. Some believe once the funds are released they will get the subsidy. All this comes with a question of when and how soon,” he added.

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Gadkari encouraged local entrepreneurs, saying, “The Vidarbha entrepreneurs should come forward for investments. In any case, why should you leave everything to the government?”

Gadkari said the Ladki Bahin Yojana, with an annual expenditure of Rs 46,000 crore and expected to benefit 2.5 crore women, was likely to delay subsidy payments in other sectors.

“Irrespective of whichever party is running the government, I believe one should keep the government aside. The government is like a vishkanya (poison maiden). Whoever goes along with it is set to doom. So, steer away from it,” he said.

The ruling BJP has played down Gadkari’s comments. A state BJP vice-president, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “By now everybody is familiar with Gadkariji. He does not mean to undermine any party or leader. His remarks are in general about the system.”

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However, Opposition parties said Gadkari has acknowledged that the Ladki Bahin Yojana has bled the government’s finances.

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