State Marching Ahead on Path of Development Through Women Empowerment – Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai, Aug 2025 : The festival of Raksha Bandhan was celebrated with great enthusiasm across the state, and as Chief Minister, I have so far received rakhis from more than 36 lakh sisters. These rakhis reflect the immense love and blessings of women across Maharashtra. Various schemes are being implemented by both the Central and State Governments to empower women, and I firmly believe that women’s empowerment will take the state forward on the path of development, said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.

Sisters from every corner of Maharashtra sent rakhis to the Chief Minister. The main Raksha Bandhan celebration was organized at Yogi Sabhagruh in Dadar. On this occasion, Minister of Cultural Affairs Adv. Ashish Shelar, Minister of State Meghna Bordikar Sakore, and several local representatives were present.

Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set forth the vision of a developed India, which cannot be achieved without the participation of women. From the Beti Bachao campaign to the Lakhpati Didi initiative, the central government has launched several schemes for women’s empowerment. Last year alone, 25 lakh women in Maharashtra became Lakhpati Didis, making the state the top performer in the country. An equal number are expected this year as well, with the ambitious goal of making one crore women financially self-reliant under this scheme.

He also highlighted the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, under which sisters are exploring new avenues of self-reliance through financial support of ₹1,500. “When women become empowered, families and society as a whole are strengthened,” the Chief Minister noted, emphasizing that loans extended to women under various programs have achieved 100% repayment. The government will soon entrust cooperative women’s institutions with rightful responsibilities. Women are being encouraged in industries, business, and other sectors, and no women-centric scheme in the state will be discontinued in the next five years, he assured. Fadnavis also reiterated his government’s commitment to the welfare of every last citizen of Maharashtra.

Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar said that multiple initiatives are underway to strengthen women’s empowerment. On this occasion, MLAs Ravindra Chavan and Chitra Wagh also expressed their views.