Ladki Bahin Yojana: Mahayuti misled women to win elections, says Cong as Ajit Pawar says state under financial strain

The Mahayuti government is currently paying Rs 1,500 to women whose annual family income is not more than Rs 2.5 lakh. During the assembly elections, the Mahayuti leaders had promised to increase the amount to Rs 2,100 per month.

Taking a dig at the Mahayuti’s inability to pay the increased allowance, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Gopal Tiwari said, ”After misleading voters and getting elected, the Mahayuti government is now trying to throw its hands up. What Ajit Pawar is saying now was earlier said by the state finance department as well. The finance department had clearly said that the state was under huge debt and a new scheme will put further burden the finances. Despite this warning, the Mahayuti government went ahead and announced the Ladki Bahin Yojana.”

Tiwari said now that the Mahayuti has won the elections by promising increase in monthly assistance to womenfolk, it will have to keep its word. ”If the government cannot keep its word, it should publicly declare that it misled voters for the sake of winning the elections and should apologise for it,” he said.

Stating that there are constant discussions about Maharashtra’s financial condition, Ajit Pawar said, ”People should not misunderstand the situation. As a Finance Minister, I presented Maharashtra’s biggest budget of Rs 7.20 lakh crore, which includes pensions, salaries and interest of loan taken by the state government. The balance amount has gone to the Ladki Bahin Yojana.”

“The opposition is saying that Ladki Bahin Yojana will be shelved. Several women have met me, they also demanded Rs 2,100 per month…I have not said no so far. I have told them that I will be paying the amount but I am first trying to bring in financial discipline,” said Pawar.

Stating the Mahayuti government plans to go ahead with the scheme, the Deputy CM said, “We are looking for an alternative…We have contacted some banks. Women can take a loan of Rs 50,000 and do joint business…If 20 women come together, each getting Rs 50,000 loan, then they can start their business with Rs 10 lakh loan. They can pay their instalments from their business earnings,” he said.