Mumbai: State agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate on Sunday acknowledged that the flagship Ladki Bahin scheme, which gives a stipend of Rs 1500 per month to underprivileged women, has put some pressure on the treasury.
Asked about the state’s financial condition, Kokate told reporters, “It is neither good nor bad. As a result of our women and sisters, there is a little pressure on the treasury.”
He said owing to this situation, Mahayuti’s pre-election promise of loan waivers for farmers will be hit. “This may be delayed a little bit but as soon as there is an increase in resources, it will be given,” he said. Kokate pointed out that govt had provided Rs 15,000 crore to farmers in terms of waivers of electricity bills.
Asked if Ladki Bahin beneficiaries would have to give up benefits under the Namo Mahasanmman Yojana, Kokate said women would eventually have to decide between the two. “The Ladki Bahin scheme has been very beneficial to women and given them financial independence, but finally, it’s not possible to take benefits from two govt schemes.”
He also acknowledged that govt “needed women” for the election. Asked if the wages of labourers had increased as a result of the Ladki Bahin scheme, he said, “The wages would have increased in any case. Does this mean men should depend only on women and not work? We needed women for the election. But that does not mean men should not work.”
Govt is in the process of scrutinising the scheme’s beneficiaries to remove those who don’t fit its parameters. For instance, those whose family income is no longer Rs 2.5 lakh a year or whose family owns a four-wheeler will no longer be eligible.
State NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil said govt should not change the scheme’s parameters. “Women voted for this govt on its basis. If govt changes its parameters, they will get upset,” he said. “If govt wants to impose terms and conditions, they should do it for new applications.”
Echoing him, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “While giving the stipend, was govt not aware that there were some discrepancies? They gave the stipend and now that the election is over, they want to take the money back. The state is facing a massive deficit. There is not enough money for the salaries of teachers and govt staffers.”