Opposition slams Mahayuti govt. over alleged cuts to Ladki Bahin scheme

Jairam Rameh. | Photo credit: Sushil Kumar Verma

Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) launched a strong attack against the Maharashtra government about reports that monthly stipend under its flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin YojanaIt has been reduced, calling it a betrayal of voters.

Secretary General of Congress (Communications) Jairam Ramesh accused the government led by the Bharatiya Janata party to follow a “Jumla Model, “affirm that while the ruling alliance remembered his”burden The sisters’ duration elections were now reducing the benefits. ” Mahayuti According to reports, the Government has reduced assistance for 8 LAKH of women from ₹ 1,500 to only ₹ 500, ”he said in a publication on the social media platform X.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader, Aaditya Thakeray, went further, claiming that the scheme had “finished more or less” and that the government planned to eliminate the Lakhs from the beneficiaries. “They promised ₹ 2,100 but won ₹ 1,500. Now, they are excluding women and even threatening police action,” he accused in a party event.

The main vice minister, Ajit Pawar and the Minister of Women and Child Development, Aditi Tatkare, denied any cuts, clarifying that 7.74 Lakh of women who already receive ₹ 1,000 under other schemes would obtain an additional one of ₹ 500 (for a total of ₹ 1,500). However, the opposition dismissed the explanation.

Mr. Tackeray made fun of the credibility of the ruling coalition, calling him a “demonic alliance” supported by the “blessings” of the Electoral Commission. He also criticized unattered electoral promises, including loan exemptions for farmers and youth schemes.

He Ladki Bahin The scheme, which provides ₹ 1,500 per month to women, was seen as fundamental in the Mahayuti‘S (BJP-Shiv Sena-CP) 2023 Electoral Victoria. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (Congress-Sena UBT-NCP sp) had promised ₹ 3,000.

Mr. Ramesh linked the controversy with a broader economic anguish, “BJP inflation and policies have pushed women to borrow, forcing them to mortgage gold for survival.” Mr. Tackeray added: “The first budget of this Government ignored all its promises: it is necessary to deceive voters so blatantly.”