Ladaki Bahin Yojana Boosts Women’s Empowerment and Strengthens the Economy – Chief Minister Eknath Shinde

Jalgaon – “The Chief Minister’s ‘My Beloved Sister’ Scheme is set to financially empower women, which will, in turn, strengthen the state’s economy and promote women’s empowerment. Alongside the Ladaki Bahin Yojana, development work across the state will continue uninterrupted,” asserted Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at a women’s empowerment meeting today. He also announced that ₹100 crore will be allocated for road construction in Jalgaon district. Additionally, new industries will be introduced in the MIDC area of Jalgaon district to create employment opportunities for the youth. Funds will be provided for the water supply schemes of Amalner Municipal Council. The Chief Minister gave these assurances on this occasion.

The Chief Minister’s Women’s Empowerment Mission meeting concluded today at Sagar Park Ground. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar distributed benefits from various government schemes, including the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, to women. The e-Bhoomipujan of the Dharangaon Balakvi Memorial was also conducted during this event.

Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, along with Union Minister of State for Sports and Youth Welfare Raksha Khadse, Water Supply and Sanitation Minister and Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Girish Mahajan, Disaster Management and Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Anil Patil, MP Smita Wagh, and several MLAs were present on the platform for this women’s empowerment gathering. Other dignitaries included District Collector Ayush Prasad, Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer Ankit, and other officials.

Speaking about the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde referenced a poem by poetess Bahinabai, saying, “O samsar samsar jasa tawa chuhlya var, first the hand is stung then we get bread.” This poem by Bahinabai, who was born in the holy land of Jalgaon, encapsulates the essence of life and struggle. He explained that the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has been introduced to reduce the burdens borne by women.

The Chief Minister further stated that before Rakshabandhan, i.e., on August 17, installments for both July and August will be credited to the beneficiaries’ accounts, and thereafter, ₹1,500 will be deposited monthly. Women who apply by August 31, 2024, will receive three months’ worth of payments at once. In just a month since the scheme’s launch, 1.04 crore women have registered across the state, thanks to the efforts of the government and administration. A financial provision of ₹33,000 crore has been made for this scheme, which will continue indefinitely. The Chief Minister assured the women that the government is committed to supporting them through this initiative.

Chief Minister Shinde also mentioned that three gas cylinders are being provided free of cost to women in the state under the Chief Minister’s Annapurna Yojana. The Chief Minister Youth Training Program is being implemented for the youth, providing ₹10,000 per month. Last year, the government launched the Chief Minister’s Women’s Empowerment Mission, benefiting over 2 crore mothers and sisters in just one year. Under the Lek Ladki Yojana, girls will receive ₹1 lakh when they turn 18. The Chief Minister highlighted these initiatives as part of the state’s broader efforts to support its citizens.

He further assured that schemes like Ladaki Bahin, Annapurna Yojana, Tirtha Darshan, Youth Work Training, Baliraja Power Concession, Vayoshree Yojana, and the 100% fee waiver for girls’ higher education will bring radical changes to the lives of farmers, laborers, women, and youth. He emphasized that none of these schemes will be discontinued.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that water from the Nar-Par project will be brought to Jalgaon district. The project, which has received the Governor’s approval, will bring irrigation water to the district, making it more prosperous. Funds have already been allocated for the Padalse and Bodwad irrigation projects. Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis assured that the government is committed to the district’s development by implementing these projects.

Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis also emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment in the state. He mentioned that ₹1,500 per month is being provided under the Ladaki Bahin Yojana, which will significantly contribute to the welfare of women. He assured that once money is given to women, it will not be taken back. Out of 1.35 crore eligible applications, 35 lakh women are yet to link their bank accounts with Aadhaar, but efforts are underway to ensure they also receive benefits. The goal is that no woman will be left out of this scheme.

In Maharashtra, 15 lakh women have been made Lakhpati Didis, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jalgaon on the 25th to provide benefits to these women. Additionally, three gas cylinders will be given free of cost to women. The financial condition of STs has improved due to the 50% concession in ST bus fares for women. As money reaches women, they use it wisely, thereby empowering themselves.

In Maharashtra, 1.5 Million Women Become Lakhpati Didis; PM Modi to Visit Jalgaon on August 25

In Maharashtra, 1.5 million women have been made “Lakhpati Didis” under various government schemes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Jalgaon on August 25 to provide additional benefits to these women. As part of the government’s efforts to empower women, three free gas cylinders will be provided to them. The financial condition of state transport (ST) has improved due to the 50% concession in fares for women. As money flows into the hands of women, they tend to use it wisely, which is why the government is focused on empowering them. The government has also arranged for free education for girls, believing that when women are empowered, Maharashtra will progress in its development.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar Assures Support for Banana Crops and Irrigation Projects in Jalgaon

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has assured that the government will support banana crops and irrigation projects in Jalgaon district. He stated that this year’s budget includes provisions for schemes that benefit the poor, youth, farmers, and women. From July, the government will provide ₹1,500 per month to women whose income is less than ₹2.5 lakh annually. Maharashtra has the highest income compared to other states in the country, so there is no shortage of funds for the Beloved Sister Scheme, which will continue indefinitely without affecting other development works. The money will be directly deposited into the women’s bank accounts, with ₹46,000 crore being spent annually on this scheme. This initiative will inject money into the market and boost the economy. Additionally, the Baliraja Yojana, which offers electricity bill concessions, has been introduced for farmers.

Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil Announces 5.09 Lakh Beneficiaries for Ladki Bahin Yojana in Jalgaon

Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil announced that 509,000 women in Jalgaon district have qualified for the Ladki Bahin Yojana, with ₹88 crore being distributed to them each month. Over the last two and a half years, the highest number of schemes for women have been launched in Maharashtra.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar distributed checks worth ₹24.6 lakh each to the Savitribai Phule Prabhat Sangh, Zep Mahila Prabhat Sangh, and Stri Shakti Mahila Prabhat Sangh under the Community Fund.

Distribution of Benefits to Women Beneficiaries

During the ceremony, various certificates and benefits were distributed to women beneficiaries of different schemes in a representative manner. Among the recipients were the Samarth Women Self-Help Group from Ayodhya Nagar, who received checks under the Urban Livelihood Mission; Tanisha Porwal, who received ₹50 lakh; Shital Vispute, who received ₹20 lakh; and Akshita Patil, who received ₹10 lakh under the Chief Minister Employment Generation Scheme. Additionally, the Mauli Women Self-Help Group from Bilwadi, and the Ganesh Women’s Savings Group from Bornar, each received community investment fund checks worth ₹6 lakh. The Durga Women’s Savings Group from Chinchkhede Pr. and the Kalinka Mata Women’s Savings Group from Chinchgat received e-rickshaws under the Manav Vikas Mission. Shital Wankhede and Rohan Desale received appointment letters under the Chief Minister Youth Work Training Scheme, while Aarti Srinath, Sarla Bhise, Nikita Patil, Jagruti Patil, and Puja Srinath received appointment letters under the Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay Rural Skill Scheme. Recipients of housing benefits under the state-sponsored Shabri and Ramai Gharkul Awas Yojana included Janabai Koli from Dhanora, Meerabai Kasode from Paldhi Kh., Shantabai Garze from Babhale, and Asha Tadvi from Adgaon. Drone distributions were also made through the Agriculture Department to Dhanshree Nemade and Devashree Patil. Some of the women expressed how government schemes had positively impacted their lives.

Rakhi Tying Ceremony and Warm Welcome for the Chief Minister

During the event, women from various religious backgrounds tied rakhis to the Chief Minister and interacted with him. At the start of the program, the Chief Minister was welcomed by women using mobile torchlights. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, were honored with a statue of poet Bahinabai and items from savings groups. A letter of honor, written by Guardian Minister Gulabrao Patil for Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, was read aloud and then presented to the Chief Minister.

Before the program, an emotional letter written by the women of Jalgaon district to the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister was presented by two sisters representing the district. An audio-visual presentation of this letter was shown during the event. Dr. Amol Shinde provided an outline of the Chief Minister’s Women Empowerment Campaign, and the event was moderated by Harshal Patil and Apoorva Vani.