Ladki Bahin Yojana formally launched in Maharashtra, coinciding with Raksha-Bandhan festivities

CM Shinde said that if people give the Maha Yuti the needed strength, with assembly elections coming up, then the money would be increased.

Mumbai: Coinciding with Raksha-Bandhan festivities, the BJP-led Maha Yuti government on Saturday formally launched the Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, a cash-benefit scheme, in the run-up to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly polls. 

The function was held in the state’s cultural capital of Pune in which Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar were present. 

The trio of Shinde-Fadnavis-Pawar rejected the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi's charge that the scheme is not viable and directed beneficiaries to ensure that it runs post the Assembly polls. 

The government has decided on the August 17 deadline for the transfer of money - before the August 19 Raksha-Bandhan festival; however, the DBT started from August 14 on the eve of Independence Day. 

In the last four days, money has been transferred to around a crore beneficiaries - Rs 1,500 per month (totalling Rs 3,000 for July and August). 

“The scheme is permanent. It will continue. We have factored in the finances and made allocations. However, it is the people who have to see that it continues (after the Assembly elections),” they said in their address. 

Shinde went on to add that if people give the Maha Yuti the needed strength then the money would be increased. “As of now it is Rs 1,500 per month…we we get strength, we will work towards increasing it to Rs 1,750…then Rs 2,000…Rs 2,500 and Rs 3,000…we have to emerge stronger (after the Assembly polls),” said Shinde.

Pawar said that during elections people must remember ‘kamal’, ‘dhanushya-baan’ and ‘ghadiyal’ (the symbols of BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, respectively). “Don’t believe in the fake narratives about the scheme,” he said, adding that the political opponents - Maha Vikas Aghadi - are spreading misinformation about it. 

Fadnavis said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has done a lot of work towards women empowerment. “Some people will say we are offering bribes, while others claim we are buying votes. To those making such accusations, should remember no one can buy a sister’s love,” he said, adding people don’t reclaim the Raksha-Bandhan gifts.