Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde made a significant announcement regarding the Ladki Behen (Beloved Sister) Scheme, emphasizing the government's commitment to increasing the financial assistance provided under the program. While addressing an event organized by CIDCO in Navi Mumbai, Shinde highlighted the government's proactive approach in reviving stalled projects and criticized the opposition for attempting to block key initiatives.
Referring to various projects, Shinde said, "The previous government had halted major projects like Metro 3, Atal Setu, car sheds, and the Samruddhi Highway. Once our government, which is aligned with the people's mandate, came into power, we removed all the speed breakers, lifted the stays, and restarted all these projects. So, I would just like to say this: compare the work done in two-and-a-half years of the MVA government with the work of our government in two years. Let the people decide," he challenged the opposition.
Shinde also took a jibe at the opposition for attempting to block the Ladki Behen scheme in court. "They went to court to stop the Ladki Behen scheme, but the court slapped them back. They first went to the Mumbai High Court, and now they have gone to the Nagpur court. Sunil Kedar, a Congress man from MVA, is behind it. The person who went to court in Mumbai belonged to the Uddhav faction," Shinde alleged.
Criticizing the opposition further, he said, "These people are hell-bent on stopping the schemes that are made for your benefit. As soon as funds started reaching people?s accounts, they started saying, 'Withdraw it soon, or the government will be pulled down.' But this is a giving government, not a taking one. This is not a 'lena bank' (taking bank), but a 'dena bank' (giving bank)," Shinde remarked.
He also addressed the opposition?s attempts to sabotage the schemes. "Those stepbrothers who tried to block the schemes ? when they come to you, show them the door and ask them why they were snatching food from your children's mouths," Shinde said.
Highlighting the benefits under the Ladki Behen scheme, he mentioned, "Through this scheme, ?1,500 are being given to sisters, free electricity is provided to farmers, and youth are being trained under various programs, receiving ?6,000 to ?8,000. We are also offering free higher education. There?s no committee or red tape ? everything is done through direct DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer). This is a government for the common people. Compare the work done by Modi's government in the last 10 years with the Congress' 50-60 years of rule. There isn't a single stain of corruption in Modi's work, but you [the opposition] looted money even from COVID centers, khichdi, and body bags. What right do you have to talk about corruption?" Shinde questioned the opposition.
In a strong conclusion, Shinde reaffirmed his commitment to the Ladki Behen scheme: "No matter who comes, no one can stop the Ladki Behen scheme. In fact, if this beloved sister of ours strengthens the government, we will increase the amount from ?1,500 to ?2,000, and eventually to ?2,500. When the time comes, we won?t hesitate to increase the assistance. These funds belong to the people. Earlier, governments would take bribes, but this government is depositing funds into sisters' accounts,? Shinde emphasized.
