PUNE: With a view to empowering women in the state economically, the Maharashtra Government has come up with an ambitious scheme, called Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Under the scheme, a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 will be given to women in the age group of 21 to 65 years.
Launching the scheme here on August 17, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the Government will increase the financial aid to Rs 2,500 and then to Rs 3,000 after being voted to power in the upcoming Assembly elections.
He also called upon the women participants at the function to vote for the Maharashtra Government so that the implementation of a slew of welfare and development schemes, including the Ladki Bahin scheme, can continue.
Although the main function was held in Pune, similar functions for the launch of the Ladki Bahin Yojana took place in various districts of the state.
Shinde slammed the Opposition for criticising the Maharashtra Government on the scheme. He said the Government has done financial planning for the full year for the implementation of Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare and development schemes.
Without naming his former boss and Shiv Sena-UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray, Shinde took a swipe at him saying: “Those who know only Hum Do Hamare Do will not know the value of Rs 1,500. What do they know about poverty? I also come from a farming family. I know how my mother used to work. I have witnessed how my parents suffered. We have struggled.”
He further said: “Ours is Dena Bank not Lena Bank as the Government is trying to bring happy days in the life of ordinary brothers and sisters and senior citizens.” Speaking at the function, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made it clear that the scheme will not be closed emphasising that it is the state Government’s resolve to implement it.
