Sisters in Struggle: Controversy Surrounds Ladki Bahin Yojana

Mumbai: In a contentious statement, senior leader Ramdas Kadam from the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has ignited debate over the future of the Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra. While addressing in Ratnagiri district, Kadam suggested that shutting down the Ladki Bahin scheme could free up funds to initiate ten new programs, raising eyebrows among opposition leaders.

Kadam remarked, "A single Ladki Bahin scheme can be closed, and ten new schemes can be launched. Everything can be showcased, but not the funds." He emphasized the importance of budgeting, indicating that the allocation for the Ladki Bahin Yojana has crossed 30,000 crores. "One scheme can be closed to make way for new developments,” he added.

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This statement has been seized upon by opposition figures, particularly from the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction of Shiv Sena. MLA Varun Sardesai accused the Mahayuti government of systematically dismantling welfare measures initiated by the previous administration, including the Ladki Bahin Yojana. He claimed that funding for the scheme has already been reduced and that a significant number of beneficiaries have been removed from the list.

Under the Shinde government, 46,000 crores were allocated for the Ladki Bahin Yojana. However, in a significant budget cut, Devendra Fadnavis's administration has slashed this amount to 36,000 crores.

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The issue intensified during a recent session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, where opposition members staged a walkout after the government failed to provide a timeline for increasing the monthly assistance from 1,500 to 2,100 rupees for Ladki beneficiaries. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar expressed concerns, suggesting that the government's intentions may lean towards ultimately terminating the Ladki Bahin Yojana. "The burden of debt on the government is growing, and the number of beneficiary women has already been reduced. It's possible the government may phase it out completely by next year," he warned.

As the controversy unfolds, the fate of the Ladki Bahin Yojana hangs in the balance, with significant implications for thousands of women beneficiaries in Maharashtra. The ongoing political tug-of-war is likely to keep this issue at the forefront as both sides prepare for future challenges in the assembly.