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NCP leader Sharad Pawar slams ‘Mazi Ladki Bahin’ scheme for poor women amid state debt crisis

NCP leader Sharad Pawar slams ‘Mazi Ladki Bahin’ scheme for poor women amid state debt crisis

Mumbai: NCP (SCP) president Sharad Pawar has expressed reservations over the Mahayuti government’s much-touted ‘Mazi Ladki Bahin’ scheme, under which poor women in the state are given Rs 1,500 every month.

Talking to the media in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Saturday, the leader said it was shocking that when the state was burdened with a debt of Rs 7.8 lakh crore, it decided to spend Rs 46,000 crore on the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme. “Is the alliance government doing the work of pushing the state into more debt for its own political interests?” Pawar wondered.

Pawar also pointed out that the state exchequer is empty and the ‘Ladki Bahin’ is only meant to lure the people to the government’s side before the elections. Meanwhile, NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil wondered why no such scheme was launched before the Lok Sabha elections.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar strongly refuted media reports about the finance ministry’s opposition to the plan. He said the plan was announced after the finance and planning ministry and other ministries concerned other than the state cabinet gave their approval.

Published: Sunday, July 28, 2024, 12:05 PM IST