Maharashtra Assembly polls ahead, a look at impact of Ladki Bahin Yojana

In poll-bound Maharashtra, the Mahayuti has promised to increase the monthly assistance to women under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 and induct 25,000 women police personnel, while the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi has promised women Rs 3,000 a month under the Mahalakshmi scheme and free transportation in government buses.(Express Photo by Pallavi Smart)

The scheme provides Rs 1,500 a month to women residents of Maharashtra who are between the ages of 21 to 65 years and whose annual family income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh. (Express Photo by Pallavi Smart)

The Ladki Bahin scheme has taken off in Nandurbar with an overwhelming number of applicants at 97%. The photo shows a family from Chaupade village. (Express Photo by Pallavi Smart)

Sakhubai Gavit, in her late 40s, whose family members work as farm labourers said: “While these (Mahayuti) people are saying they will double the money after being re-elected, others (Congress) are promising an even larger amount. But what is the point of this money if food and medicines continue to be so costly?” (Express Photo by Pallavi Smart)

Nilima Walvi, 36, a daily wage labourer from Palipada tribal settlement in Nandurbar’s Navapur, says that in August, she spent the money she received from the scheme on her eight-year-old daughter Devashree’s treatment at a private hospital. (Express Photo by Pallavi Smart)

Paskin Dsouza, a domestic help who lives in Sindhudurg’s Sangave village said: “My husband is a daily-wage labourer and doesn’t get any work on most days. My elder son Motes used to work in a hotel in Goa, but he died, and now we are struggling to survive. My younger son is in Class 12 and my daughter is married. How can I not vote for the government that helped me when I needed it the most.”

Suvarnalata Pawar, a cancer survivor who lives in Sindhudurg’s Pushpawadi village said: “In 2021 (during the pandemic), my cancer came back. I was referred to Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital, but the hospital was only taking in patients who were critical. We had to go to a private hospital in Kolhapur and my sons (both working) had to take loans for my treatment. When I got this money, I helped them with one instalment of the loan. I am so grateful for this”

Sneha Walawalkar, who lives in Walawal village in Kudal taluka said: “My husband died early, but I am not dependent on the money (from the scheme) since my children are well-settled and support me. But this money comes to my account and I can use it the way I want. It’s my money.”

Bhagyashree Raut, who works in a cashew sorting factory in Mangaon, Sindhudurg said, “At least this CM (Shinde) kept his word and gave us money. The money came in handy for the treatment of my husband Bhaskar, who was diagnosed with a lump on his tongue.” Sheetal Parab, who also works in the factory said, “My husband hasn’t recovered since falling ill during the pandemic. We have two school-going children I have to earn for the entire family and this money is very useful. Others are promising another scheme with double the amount, but my vote will go to the one who gave the money instead of the one who has only spoken of it so far.”

While Nandurbar has traditionally been a Congress bastion, the BJP has been making inroads, winning two of the four Assembly seats in the last election. The photo shows another beneficiary of the scheme Rekhata Patil.(Express Photo by Pallavi Smart)