The Amount of Benefits under the ‘Ladki Behan Scheme’ to Gradually Increase: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar : Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured that adequate financial provision has been made to ensure the continuous operation of the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana,’ and that the scheme will not only continue but the benefit amount will be increased in phases. The Chief Minister gave this assurance to the women beneficiaries today.

The state-level event to honor the beneficiaries of the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana’ and the inauguration of various state schemes took place at the Marathwada Cultural Board Grounds in Khadkeshwar, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, under the ‘Chief Minister’s Women’s Empowerment Campaign.’ The event was graced by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.

Present at the event were Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar, Housing Minister Atul Save, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, CIDCO President Sanjay Shirsat, MP Dr. Bhagwat Karad, MLAs Satish Chavan, Vikram Kale, Pradeep Jaiswal, and Ramesh Bornare, as well as other dignitaries, including Additional Chief Secretary Abha Shukla, MSEDCL Chairman and Managing Director Lokesh Chandra, Secretary of Women and Child Development Dr. Anupkumar Yadav, Divisional Commissioner Dilip Gawde, and other officials.

Prime Minister Praises the Ladki Behan Scheme

Chief Minister Shinde stated that the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana’ was launched to empower women, providing a monthly benefit of Rs. 1,500 to women. The government has already credited Rs. 3,000 into the beneficiaries’ accounts for the months of October and November. Previously, Rs. 4,500 was credited for a three-month period. The government, being aware of the hardships faced by the poor, initiated this scheme to support low-income women. Around 2.5 crore women are benefiting from this scheme. Many women have started small businesses with the amount received, generating employment and economic opportunities, and standing on their own feet. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also praised the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana,’ calling Maharashtra’s efforts in women’s empowerment a guiding example for the country. Additionally, renowned singer Asha Bhosle has expressed her appreciation for the scheme. The Chief Minister assured that the scheme will continue, with benefits increasing in stages.

Zero Electricity Bill for Farmers’ Agricultural Pumps

Chief Minister Shinde announced that the state government has decided to provide free electricity to agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP, benefiting approximately 4.5 million farmers who now receive zero electricity bills. The ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Kaushalya Yojana’ has been launched to provide skill training to youths, with a stipend ranging from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 10,000 during the training period. Significant investments are coming into the state, which will boost the state’s development and create employment opportunities. Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Vayoshri Yojana,’ elderly citizens will receive up to Rs. 3,000 to purchase various equipment.

Government Schemes Supporting the Common People

Prime Minister Modi has laid the foundation for projects worth over Rs. 33,000 crore in Thane and Mumbai. The Shendra Auric City project has gained international attention, with Toyota Kirloskar setting up a Rs. 20,000 crore project there. Several schemes, such as the ‘Ladki Behan Yojana,’ ‘Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana,’ ‘Mukhyamantri Vayoshri Yojana,’ ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Kaushalya Yojana,’ ‘Free Higher Education Scheme for Girls,’ and the ‘Mukhyamantri Baliraja Veej Savalat Yojana’ have provided crucial support to the common people.

Bringing Women to the Center of Development – Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that Prime Minister Modi believes women must be brought to the center of development for the country to progress. In line with this vision, the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana’ is playing a crucial role. The central government has launched various schemes for women, such as ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ and ‘Lakhpati Didi.’ The state government has also implemented schemes like the ‘Lek Ladki Yojana’ and ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana.’ Under the ‘Lek Ladki Yojana,’ Rs. 1 lakh is gradually deposited in a girl’s bank account after her birth. Women also receive a 50% discount on ST bus travel, and under the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana,’ they receive Rs. 1,500 per month. Although some rumors claim the scheme will end, it will continue as planned, Fadnavis assured.

Approval for Bringing Water from Western Rivers to Marathwada to Eradicate Drought

Chief Minister Shinde announced that the state government has approved a project to bring water from western rivers to Marathwada to end drought in the region. The project is expected to be completed within the next few years, permanently addressing the drought situation. As part of the ‘Mukhyamantri Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme,’ farmers will now receive electricity free of charge, and zero electricity bills have already been distributed. The state government has allocated funds to MSEDCL for this scheme, ensuring that farmers won’t have to pay electricity bills for the next five years. Maharashtra has become the first state to establish an electricity company specifically for farmers.

Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Solar Krishi Vahini Yojana,’ efforts are being made to provide farmers with electricity during the day. Five solar agricultural lines have already been operationalized, and the state government will bear 90% of the cost of solar agricultural pumps, while farmers will contribute the remaining 10%. So far, 60,000 solar agricultural pumps have been installed, with the majority benefiting farmers in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.

Sufficient Funds for the Mazi Ladki Behan Scheme – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar assured that the state government has allocated sufficient funds for the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana.’ Having experience in budget planning, he stated that the scheme has been carefully designed to ensure it will not be discontinued under any circumstances. Before Raksha Bandhan, the first installment was deposited into the beneficiaries’ accounts, and this week, ahead of Diwali, Rs. 3,000 for October and November will also be deposited.

Pawar further mentioned that, as promised, farmers’ electricity bills have been zeroed out, and under the ‘Mukhyamantri Baliraja Free Electricity Scheme,’ farmers are receiving receipts for zero bills. In addition, the ‘Solar Agricultural Pump on Demand Scheme’ has been launched, further reducing farmers’ production costs and doubling their income. Around 4.4 million farmers with agricultural pumps up to 7.5 HP will benefit from free electricity. The government has allocated Rs. 14,761 crore for this scheme, and under the ‘Solar Agricultural Pump on Demand’ scheme, farmers will be able to irrigate their fields during the day.

No Group Will Be Left Out of Government Benefits – Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare

Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare said that the government has successfully distributed benefits to 2.22 crore women over the past five months under the ‘Mukhyamantri Mazi Ladki Behan Yojana.’ The benefits for October and November will also be credited soon. The state has launched the ‘Pink Rickshaw Scheme,’ under which 10,000 rickshaws will be provided to women, with 500 to 1,000 rickshaws already distributed in metropolitan areas, and the target will be increased to 2,000. No group in the state will be left out of government schemes, she assured.

The event began with an introduction by Guardian Minister Abdul Sattar, and various schemes, including the ‘Free Electricity Bill Scheme’ and ‘Solar Agricultural Pump on Demand Scheme,’ were inaugurated. Several officials, including Divisional Commissioner Dilip Gawde and others, were honored for their exemplary work in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division. A large number of women were present at the event.