Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has said the government's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme to provide financial assistance to women will continue and that there is no question of scrapping it. Under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which is believed to have played a key role in the victory of the ruling Mahayuti (comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP) in the state polls last year, women are provided Rs 1,500 every month.
Talking to reporters on Tuesday night, Pawar, who is also the state's finance minister, said, "The budgetary allocation for the implementation of the scheme has been made and there is no question of scrapping it."
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Earlier on Tuesday, state Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare said no change had been made in the amount of assistance paid under the scheme, but some 7.74 lakh women already getting Rs 1,000 under another scheme were being paid the difference of Rs 500. Tatkare was responding to the question regarding the aid under the Ladki Bhahin scheme was reduced for 7,74,148 women who were receiving benefits of others schemes.
Under the Ladki Bahin Yaojana, Rs 1,500 per month are paid to women who are not taking advantage of any other government scheme. Tatkare said the difference is paid to those who are receiving a benefit of less than Rs 15,00 under other schemes.