Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde junks fear of funds crunch for Ladki Bahin

Buldhana: The CM Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was implemented to bring happiness and prosperity into the lives of women in the state, said chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday. The state govt has taken this revolutionary step for women's empowerment, and the govt has made substantial financial provisions to ensure the continuous operation of this scheme, and it will not back down in the future either, he assured.Under the women empowerment campaign, the fulfilment ceremony of the CM Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was held with a large gathering of women at the Sharada Gyanpeeth School Ground in Buldhana. During the event, CM Shinde honoured various beneficiaries of government schemes and inaugurated several development projects. Controversial Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad, who was in the news recently for putting a bounty on Rahul Gandhi's tongue, shared the dais with the CM. Also present on the occasion were deputy chief ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, Union minister of state for AYUSH, health, and family welfare Prataprao Jadhav, cooperative minister and district guardian minister Dilip Walse Patil, and other dignitaries.CM Shinde said that this scheme was implemented on a large scale and with great speed for women's empowerment. It has become the record-holder for disbursing funds to beneficiaries' accounts in the shortest time. The government has set aside Rs33,000 crore for this scheme, ensuring it will never stop. The financial assistance provided through this scheme has significantly helped the poor, and if further strength is gained, we will continue to increase this amount, he assured.He further mentioned that schemes like free education for girls, Ladki Ladki Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Annapurna Yojana, CM Baliraja Electricity Subsidy Scheme, Kisan Samman Yojana, and CM Youth Training Scheme are empowering women and families. Through women's self-help groups, various businesses are expanding, and we aim to see more and more women become lakhpatis. This scheme will also boost the economy, he said.One Crore Women Will Be Made Lakhpatis - Deputy CM FadnavisDeputy CM Devendra Fadnavis said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched several schemes like Lakhpati Didi to include women in the flow of economic development. Our goal in the state is to make a crore women lakhpatis. Along with Ladki Bahin Yojana, ST travel concessions, and free education for women, various schemes for youth and farmers, such as free electricity, crop insurance, and solar power, have also been implemented. The Jigav Project has been completed, and the Wainganga-Nalganga river linking project will permanently make Buldhana district drought-free, he said.Scheme Accelerates Rural Economy – Deputy CM PawarDeputy CM Ajit Pawar said that the CM Ladki Bahin Yojana has provided economic independence to women and accelerated the rural economy. The scheme has boosted women's confidence and encouraged them to start small businesses. The state government has implemented many schemes for all sections of society. Maharashtra is witnessing industrial growth, and it has become the leading state in foreign investment.On the occasion, cheques were distributed to beneficiaries under the CM Employment Generation Program, and beneficiaries of the Lakhpati Didi scheme were honoured. The ‘Rajmata' logo and a district coffee table book published by the Buldhana district administration were also unveiled by the chief minister.The event began with CM Shinde and other dignitaries offering tributes to the half-bust statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and the portraits of Rajmata Jijau, Punyashlok Ahilyabai Holkar, Savitribai Phule, and Ramabai Ambedkar.Massive Enthusiasm Among WomenThousands of women from all corners of the district attended the ceremony. The women warmly welcomed CM Eknath Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar with applause and raised mobile torches upon their arrival at the venue. Many women tied rakhis to the dignitaries and took selfies with them, while the dignitaries interacted with the attendees and accepted their greetings.