The Maharashtra government on Thursday started extending the benefits of the ‘Ladli Behen Yojna’ before the stipulated deadline of Raksha Bandhan on August 19.
After a spar over remarks by two MLAs of the ruling alliance demanding votes for cash, the Mahayuti bloc started transferring money to the accounts of eligible beneficiaries across the state to counter the criticism by the Opposition.
Tipped as one of the most popular flagship schemes of the NDA-led Mahayuti alliance, the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Behen Yojna’ was set to be inaugurated on August 17 ahead of the Raksha Bandhan to benefit the underprivileged women in the state.
However, Maharashtra Chief minister Eknath Shinde informed that the transfer of instalments, Rs 3,000 each, for July and August has been initiated as a trial run by the concerned authorities.
Following the transfer of the money, the beneficiaries across the state are thanking the government for delivering the amount within the stipulated period of time.
Lata Patil, the first beneficiary of the Ladli Behen Yojna from Worli constituency represented by Shiv Sena (Uddhav) MLA Aditya Thackeray, was initially doubtful about getting the money. However, she was overwhelmed after the money was transferred within one month of her enrolment for the scheme, Patil said while speaking to India Today.
On the other hand, Opposition parties are not letting go of any opportunity to take potshots at the most ambitious scheme of the government.
In Solapur, Congress MP Praniti Shinde warned women that all the ‘Laadli behen’ (dear sisters) will turn stepsisters once the Assembly polls are over, as she fears that the popular scheme will be scrapped.
Similarly, National Congress Party (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule also advised women to withdraw and spend money transferred by the government immediately, alleging that MLAs from the ruling parties have threatened to recover money if they do not cast votes to the ruling alliance.
Meanwhile, the state government is fiercely promoting the scheme across the state. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a video conference with the beneficiaries of the scheme on Thursday to take their feedback.
Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare assured that the officials of their department were working 24×7 to implement the scheme. “In the first 24 hours, Rs 3,000 each for two months has been transferred into the accounts of nearly 80 lakhs eligible women across the state”, claimed Tatkare.
As per sources, the government has set a target to benefit more than three crore women in the state under this scheme on the eve of Raksha Bandhan ahead of the Assembly polls in the state.
Source Agencies
