Maharashtra's "Ladki Behen" Scheme Resilient Despite Opposition Attacks

The "Ladki Behen" scheme, introduced by Maharashtra Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, has garnered widespread support among women across the state. Announced in this year's budget, the initiative providesRs.1,500 monthly to eligible women, with over 15 million already registered. Payments began in August 2024, but despite its popularity, the scheme has faced intense opposition. 

Critics initially labeled the scheme as a gimmick, fearing it could boost the ruling coalition's chances in the upcoming elections. However, the overwhelming number of women signing up dismissed such claims. As trust in the initiative grew, the opposition shifted their focus to concerns about the state’s financial health, accusing the government of taking loans to fund the project. Ajit Pawar refuted these allegations, explaining that Rs.46,000 crore had been allocated in the budget for this purpose.

Opponents also spread rumors that contractors were unpaid, and that development projects were suffering due to the scheme. But these accusations failed to dent its popularity. Later, the opposition argued that the government was "buying" votes with the Rs1,500 payments, circulating videos online of women asking for cheaper LPG cylinders instead of cash. Despite these efforts, the direct deposit of funds strengthened the trust between women and the government.

Opposition parties then tried to manipulate the scheme's registration process, setting up fake camps and filling forms incorrectly to create obstacles. BJP MLA Ram Kadam raised concerns about junk data being uploaded to slow the system, prompting Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis to address the issue. To counter this, the government began accepting offline applications, ensuring women could still access their benefits.

Even after two successful installments, opponents spread false warnings, telling women to withdraw their funds immediately, claiming the government would reclaim the money. Senior leaders of the Maha Vikas Aghadi joined this narrative, but Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar reassured women that the money was theirs to keep.

As elections approach, the opposition has escalated its efforts to discredit the scheme. Fake news suggested that registered women would receive a ₹5,500 bonus, although no such announcement was made. With assembly elections scheduled for November 20, opponents also claimed the scheme had been suspended due to the election code of conduct. However, Eknath Shinde clarified that the scheme was paused temporarily due to regulations but would resume after elections. To ensure continuity, the government made advance payments to women ahead of the election period.

The opposition has threatened to end the scheme if elected, with former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray even vowing to imprison Maha Yuti leaders responsible for it. Despite these challenges, the "Ladki Behen" scheme remains widely popular, providing crucial financial support to women across Maharashtra.

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