The Maharashtra government formally launched the "Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana" on Saturday, providing eligible women with a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, along with BJP leaders Ashish Shelar, Mangalprabhat Lodha, and Pravin Darekar, attended the event at Shere Punjab Municipal Ground in Andheri (East) to promote the scheme and express solidarity with women beneficiaries.
At the launch event, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde suggested that the stipend could be doubled to Rs 3,000 per month if the alliance retains power in the upcoming elections.
The scheme's launch coincided with Rakshabandhan festivities, symbolically linking the initiative to the protection and support of women, much like the festival itself.
Opposition parties, including the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), criticised the Rs 1,500 stipend as inadequate, accusing the government of attempting to buy votes ahead of the assembly elections.
The "Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana" is inspired by Madhya Pradesh's "Ladli Behna Yojana," offering financial assistance to married, divorced, and destitute women within a specified age and income bracket.
CM Shinde defended the scheme, stating that the opposition had failed to provide similar support during their tenure and that the current government is genuinely working for the welfare of women.
The Shiv Sena-BJP-NCP alliance hopes that the goodwill generated by the scheme will bolster its chances in the upcoming assembly elections, countering the opposition's attacks.
In addition to the "Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana," the government also introduced a new scheme for young men, the "Ladka Bhau Yojana," aimed at providing job training and stipends to address unemployment.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut predicted that the "Ladki Bahin Yojana" would not be a turning point for the government but rather a "U-turn," suggesting that it might backfire politically for the ruling alliance.
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