"Ladki Bahin Yojana will never be stopped": Maharashtra Dy CM Eknath Shinde

The scheme, launched by the Women and Child Development Department and the Government of Maharashtra, aims to provide financial support to eligible women across the state.

Under the scheme, women from age group 21 to 65 are given a financial benefit of Rs 1,500 through direct benefit transfer for improving their health and nutrition and strengthening their decisive role in the family.

"When the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was started, the opposition said that this is an election slogan, this is a false assurance. The opposition may spread as many rumours as they want, but the 'Ladki Bahin' Yojana will never be stopped..."

Shinde was in Pune on Saturday to mark one year of the 'Ladki Bahin' Yojana.

Earlier in July, a Maharashtra government investigation found that a total of 2,289 women government employees were beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin scheme, state development minister Aditi Tatkare said in a written reply to the Maharashtra assembly.

Upon identification, the benefits of the scheme were discontinued for the women, Tatkare said.

In May, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut launched a scathing attack on the Maharashtra government, claiming that the Ladki Bahin Yojana has been "closed down" and accusing the ruling coalition of reneging on election promises.

"Ladki Bahin has been closed down. Earlier, you said you would give Rs 1,500, now only Rs 500 is being given. During elections, there was talk of giving Rs 2,100. But Ajit Pawar (Deputy CM) denied making any such promise. He said, 'when did I say? I never said such a thing.' But the government is yours, right? You are the deputy CM. When you become a minister, you talk about 'my money, my money' -- how is it your money? The money is meant for Ladki Bahin," Raut told reporters then. (ANI)