NEW DELHI: Supriya Sule, a prominent leader from Maharashtra, raised concerns on Thursday about the timing of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme announced just before the state assembly elections. Describing it as a political maneuver, the NCP(SP) leader remarked, "With the Maharashtra elections looming just 2 to 3 months away, it was expected that the state government would resort to such gimmicks."
While acknowledging the scheme's intent to support women amidst rising unemployment and inflation, Sule criticized its implementation, pointing out numerous conditions and restrictions.
The 'Ladki Bahin' scheme aims to provide Rs 1,500 to eligible women, yet Sule cautioned against the misuse of government resources in election campaigns dominated by loans and expenditures.
Meanwhile, Prakash Mahajan of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) sparked controversy by suggesting that the scheme's benefits should exclude individuals with multiple spouses, particularly targeting certain communities.
It is pertinent to note that the state's Chief Minister's 'Mazhi Ladki Bahin Yojana', modeled after a scheme by the MP government, aims to provide Rs 1,500 to eligible women aged 21 to 60. Scheduled for rollout in July, the scheme carries an annual cost of Rs 46,000 crore. Commenting cautiously on its implementation challenges, she remarked, "There are several shortcomings in this scheme that may hinder its execution. It would be premature to pass judgment until a thorough examination is conducted."
Furthermore, the government has allocated Rs 20,000 per 'dindi' (a group of pilgrims) and pledged to submit a proposal to UNESCO for Pandharpur Wari's world heritage designation.
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