India
-Krishna Kripa
Maharashtra
Chief
Minister
Eknath
Shinde
criticised
the
opposition,
particularly
his
predecessor
Uddhav
Thackeray,
during
an
event
in
Mumbai’s
Chandivali
area.
Shinde
highlighted
that
those
born
into
privilege
cannot
understand
the
significance
of
Rs
1,500,
which
the
state
government
is
providing
to
underprivileged
women
each
month
through
a
new
welfare
scheme.
image
Shinde
emphasised
that
the
Mukhya
Mantri
Ladki
Bahin
Yojana
has
been
well-received
by
women,
despite
opposition
claims
that
it
is
deceptive.
He
noted
that
nearly
2
crore
women
applied
for
the
scheme,
with
1.5
crore
eligible
recipients
already
receiving
the
promised
stipend.
“The
value
of
Rs
1,500
will
be
known
to
my
ladkya
bahini
dear
sisters,” he
said,
indirectly
referring
to
Thackeray.
Opposition
Criticism
and
Scheme’s
Impact
The
opposition
has
labelled
the
scheme
as
financially
unviable
and
described
the
monthly
stipend
as
insufficient.
They
argue
that
the
scheme,
costing
Rs
46,000
crore
annually,
is
not
sustainable.
However,
Shinde
countered
these
claims
by
stating
that
once
the
first
tranche
was
credited
to
beneficiaries’
bank
accounts,
the
opposition’s
criticisms
were
proven
wrong.
Shinde
also
addressed
rumours
spread
by
the
opposition
that
the
money
would
be
taken
back
after
being
credited.
He
assured
that
this
government
is
committed
to
giving
and
not
taking
back
funds.
“This
government
is
the
one
that
gives
and
not
takes,” Shinde
maintained.
Future
Plans
and
Political
Implications
Shinde
urged
women
beneficiaries
to
support
the
government
to
help
increase
the
monthly
stipend
amount
in
the
future.
He
suggested
that
if
the
government’s
strength
is
bolstered,
they
could
potentially
double
the
stipend
amount.
These
comments
appear
aimed
at
garnering
support
from
women
voters
ahead
of
the
assembly
polls
expected
in
November.
The
Chief
Minister
also
mentioned
that
some
opposition
members
attempted
to
halt
the
scheme
through
legal
means
but
were
unsuccessful.
Despite
their
efforts
to
stop
its
rollout
in
August,
the
scheme
proceeded
as
planned.
Shinde
further
accused
the
opposition
of
spreading
false
rumours
before
elections,
such
as
claims
that
Mumbai
would
be
separated
from
Maharashtra.
He
firmly
stated,
“No
one
can
break
Mumbai
from
Maharashtra,”
dismissing
these
allegations.
The
Mukhya
Mantri
Ladki
Bahin
Yojana
targets
financially
disadvantaged
women
aged
21
to
65
years.
The
scheme
aims
to
provide
financial
assistance
to
help
improve
their
living
conditions.
Shinde’s
remarks
indicate
a
strong
commitment
to
continuing
and
potentially
expanding
this
welfare
initiative.
By
addressing
both
criticisms
and
support
for
the
scheme,
Shinde
aims
to
solidify
his
government’s
position
and
gain
voter
confidence
ahead
of
upcoming
elections.
