Maharashtra Forest, Cultural Affais And Fisheries Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar | File Image
Former Cabinet Minister and BIP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar recently ignited a controversy with his statement that the payout under the Ladki Bahin Scheme would be increased during Bhai Dooj 2025, His comments raised questions, especially given the promises made during the election campaign.
In the leadup to the Maharashtra Assembly election, both the Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi made significant promises about women empowerment schemes. The MVA promised Rs 3000 under its the Mahalaxmi Yojana, double the amount — Rs 1500 — being given to women every month, under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. In response, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had promised that his government would raise the payout to Rs 2,100 to ensure the support of women voters.
This commitment was amajor campaign pledge. However, now that the votes are in the bag, Mungantiwar has sought to clarify the Rs 2,100 promise. He explained, “I was asked in an interview about when the Rs2,100 increase would happen.
I clarified that such decisions are made by the cabinet, and the increase is expected to take place after the budget, around the time of Raksha Bandhan next year.” Mungantiwar also said that tional attire of a sewadar. ovel’pl’lced— which included: a influence the BJP’s national prospects. Shinde’s faction, with its his earlier remarks had been misinterpreted.
The Rs 2,100 payout promise was also featured in the BJPs election manifesto, and Mungantiwar emphasised that if the increase failed to materialise, he would personally ensure the health conditions. They were ordered to Khan was aware of them before placing the 3. Kidney failure requiring regular dialyS:’hmbfll- funds were allocated.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders are pushing for even more substantial incressl:é& Leader of the Oppgsition%n the Legislative Council Ambadas Danve has called for the payout to be raised to Rs3,000. Danve noted that with the ruling party’s large majority in the legislature, the government should follow through on its promises. He warned that failure to raise the payout could lead to public disillusionment, with voters questioning whether the promise was merely an election ploy. With the Mahayuti securing a strong electoral victory, the new government in the making faces pressure to fulfil its campaign commitments, including those made to its ‘ladki Bahins’
