MUMBAI: Indicating a tighter scrutiny of Mahayuti government’s flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, on Monday admitted in the state assembly that beneficiaries who were financially well-off also received the stipend, and now the scheme will be “corrected” to only cover poor women.
“In hurry and confusion, some sisters with a good economic condition got included in the list. The scheme is meant only for women from poor families,” said Ajit. “Sometimes, once a scheme is introduced, it needs corrections. We will be making corrections. But we will not take back the money from those who received it.”
He pointed out that even PM Narendra Modi appealed to the public to exit central schemes if they no longer fit the criteria. He emphasised that the scheme would not be shut down. “We will provide enough funds for the scheme & poor women will 100% receive the money,” he added.
He also confirmed reports that a portion of over 40% hike in the annual plan for SCs and STs outlay in the annual plan would be used for Ladki Bahin scheme. Social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat alleged that nearly Rs 10,000 crore from the social justice and tribal welfare department was diverted to Ladki Bahin scheme. “In the annual plan, allocation for SC component has risen 42% and tribal component by 40%. Even after excluding Ladki Bahin outlay, the rise is 18% and 19%,” Ajit told the assembly.
He further said Ladki Bahin scheme could be linked to loan programmes given the enormous quantum of Rs 45,000 crore that it placed in the hands of women.
“The Mumbai bank, led by BJP MLC Pravin Darekar, has already announced that those who open their Ladki Bahin accounts there will be eligible for a loan of Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000,” the deputy CM said.
He defended government’s Rs 9.3 lakh crore debt and revenue deficit of Rs 45,892 crore, by saying this was within the fiscal limit. “Only Maharashtra, Odisha, and Gujarat have managed to keep these parameters within the fiscal limit,” he said. He said the fiscal deficit was less than 3% of GSDP and the loan was less than 25% of GSDP. RBI’s risk analysis concluded that Maharashtra had healthy fiscal indicators, he added.
He further said government focused on infrastructure schemes, like Wadhawan port project where it was considering building an airport. “Some countries have built an airport in the sea. Such ideas are worth considering if it does not impact the environment.”
