Latest news with #MajhiLadkiBahin
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Bawankule meets sulking Shirsat amid funds diversion controversy
Mumbai: Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday called on social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat to pacify him after the Shiv Sena leader expressed unhappiness over the diversion of funds from his department towards the populist Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, according to people aware of the developments. Bawankule and Shirsat, however, insisted that they met to discuss a project in Kamathi, Nagpur. Bawankule visited Shirsat's official bungalow in Mumbai on Wednesday morning, according to people in the know. Shirsat, a Dalit leader, had earlier accused the Ajit Pawar-led state finance department of high-handedness for diverting funds from his department, meant for the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and other underprivileged sections of society, towards the Ladki Bahin scheme without his knowledge. He is also unhappy about corruption charges levelled against him, as he believes the information is being provided to the Opposition from within the government to defame him. Against this backdrop, Bawankule's visit to Shirsat's residence assumes significance and is being seen as an attempt to ensure cordial relations between the BJP and Shiv Sena. The state BJP chief, however, said that the meeting was to seek the social justice department's contribution for the makeover of Dragon Palace, a Buddhist temple in Kamathi, Nagpur. Bawankule said the state government has allocated ₹214 crore for the makeover, and the ground-breaking ceremony for the work will soon take place. 'I had come to meet the social justice minister to seek his cooperation,' he said. Shirsat also said that he and Bawankule did not discuss any political matter. 'I had been inviting him to my house for a cup of tea as we share friendly relations. I have assured him full support for the makeover of Dragon Palace,' he said. Shirsat claimed he was not upset over the diversion of funds from his department, adding that he discussed the issue with finance minister Ajit Pawar during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Bawankule said that the Mahayuti government cannot even think of diverting funds meant for Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. According to the BJP insiders, the renovation of Dragon Palace is important for the party as it was trailing in the Assembly polls in Kamathi city by 17,000 votes. Bawankule represents the Kamathi constituency and is pushing the renovation project ahead of the upcoming local body polls. 'Kamathi city, where the project is located, is dominated by Dalit votes, and the visit to the residence of Shirsat, who is a Dalit leader, has political symbolism,' the leader said.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
State's 100-Day Report Card Sparks Political Firestorm in Maharashtra
Nagpur: The Maharashtra government's 100-day performance review has triggered a political storm, with Opposition leaders accusing the ruling Mahayuti alliance of manipulating data to cover up governance failures and growing public dissatisfaction. Leader of opposition in the Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, dismissed the rankings released by the state as a "publicity exercise," claiming they were orchestrated through bureaucratic channels rather than based on public feedback. "The government has graded itself instead of being evaluated by the people. It's nothing more than a stunt to divert attention from administrative lapses," Danve said. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Harshwardhan Sapkal also slammed the government's claims. "What has the state achieved in these 100 days? Just two words—'Aka' and 'Khoke'—both linked to corruption and coined in Beed," he remarked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Taking a dig at the BJP over the Ladki Bahin scheme, Sapkal said, "The BJP-led alliance promised ₹2,100 per month to our sisters, but not even ₹1,500 has been delivered. Farmers were promised loan waivers, and now the government claims no such promise was ever made." He accused the ruling alliance of betraying public trust and using the 100-day report card to distract from real issues. "This exercise is a hollow attempt to claim success while ignoring women's safety, rising inflation, and the deepening agrarian crisis," Sapkal added. Danve raised concerns over the methodology behind the department rankings, questioning how some departments that received poor grades in April suddenly rose to top positions within weeks. He also criticised the inclusion of Balasaheb Patil among awardees for police performance, calling it politically motivated due to Patil's role in the 2022 split of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. He further questioned the top ranking awarded to the Women and Child Development Department, citing the exclusion of nearly 8 lakh beneficiaries from the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme. "The Pink Rickshaw scheme is non-functional, and ASHA and anganwadi workers' dues remain unpaid—yet this department tops the list. It defies logic," Danve said. Highlighting rural distress, he noted that 289 farmers had died by suicide in the past three months due to mounting debt and crop failures. He accused the government of scrapping the crop insurance scheme and reneging on promises of loan waivers. "Even state transport workers are being paid only 40% of their salaries. Where is the governance success?" he questioned. Both Danve and Sapkal warned that the Opposition would raise these issues forcefully in the upcoming monsoon session, vowing to challenge the credibility of the government's performance claims on the floor of the House. Nagpur: The Maharashtra government's 100-day performance review has triggered a political storm, with Opposition leaders accusing the ruling Mahayuti alliance of manipulating data to cover up governance failures and growing public dissatisfaction. Leader of opposition in the Legislative Council, Ambadas Danve, dismissed the rankings released by the state as a "publicity exercise," claiming they were orchestrated through bureaucratic channels rather than based on public feedback. "The government has graded itself instead of being evaluated by the people. It's nothing more than a stunt to divert attention from administrative lapses," Danve said. Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president Harshwardhan Sapkal also slammed the government's claims. "What has the state achieved in these 100 days? Just two words—'Aka' and 'Khoke'—both linked to corruption and coined in Beed," he remarked. Taking a dig at the BJP over the Ladki Bahin scheme, Sapkal said, "The BJP-led alliance promised ₹2,100 per month to our sisters, but not even ₹1,500 has been delivered. Farmers were promised loan waivers, and now the government claims no such promise was ever made." He accused the ruling alliance of betraying public trust and using the 100-day report card to distract from real issues. "This exercise is a hollow attempt to claim success while ignoring women's safety, rising inflation, and the deepening agrarian crisis," Sapkal added. Danve raised concerns over the methodology behind the department rankings, questioning how some departments that received poor grades in April suddenly rose to top positions within weeks. He also criticised the inclusion of Balasaheb Patil among awardees for police performance, calling it politically motivated due to Patil's role in the 2022 split of the Uddhav Thackeray-led government. He further questioned the top ranking awarded to the Women and Child Development Department, citing the exclusion of nearly 8 lakh beneficiaries from the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme. "The Pink Rickshaw scheme is non-functional, and ASHA and anganwadi workers' dues remain unpaid—yet this department tops the list. It defies logic," Danve said. Highlighting rural distress, he noted that 289 farmers had died by suicide in the past three months due to mounting debt and crop failures. He accused the government of scrapping the crop insurance scheme and reneging on promises of loan waivers. "Even state transport workers are being paid only 40% of their salaries. Where is the governance success?" he questioned. Both Danve and Sapkal warned that the Opposition would raise these issues forcefully in the upcoming monsoon session, vowing to challenge the credibility of the government's performance claims on the floor of the House.
Indian Express
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Shiv Sena cross swords with NCP over Ladki Bahin funds: Social justice minister slams diversion of Rs 400 cr from his dept
The diversion of funds meant for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities for the state government's Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme has led to angry outbursts against Finance Minister Ajit Pawar from Social Justice Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat, who termed it illegal and sarcastically said the Social Justice Department can now be closed. 'I was not even informed that around Rs 400 crore has been diverted from the Social Justice Department. I came to know about it from the media. If there is no need for the Social Justice Department, then it can very well be closed,' said Shirsat, who last month had opposed the move to divert money from his department. The minister said that as per the law, money for the Social Justice Department cannot be diverted for any other purpose. 'This is not legal. Those brilliant minds sitting in the Finance Department should show me under which rule they have diverted the money,' he said, adding it was high-handedness by the Finance Department. 'I will talk to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis about this. I do not want to comment about other departments, but I disagree with the decision on diverting money from my department,' he said. Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike of the BJP could not be reached for comments despite several attempts. The Maharashtra government on Friday issued two government resolutions, diverting Rs 410.30 crore from the Social Justice Department and Rs 335.70 crore from the Tribal Development Department for the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, under which Rs 1,500 per month is being given to women below the poverty line. The Opposition too slammed the government terming it an economic crisis and an injustice to the SC and ST community. 'When the Maharashtra budget was presented, I had said the money allotted to the Social Justice and Tribal Development departments were not spent. The injustice against both departments continues even this year,' said state NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil. 'The funds allotted for SCs and STs are given as per the Constitution. Despite this the money is being diverted. At a time when the government is lacking money to continue with schemes, it is planning expensive roads, which no one has asked for,' he added. Maharashtra Congress chief Harshvardhan Sapkal said the state government is not only fooling the SC and ST communities but also women. 'They had promised Rs 2,100 per month before the elections. But now, the government is struggling to give Rs 1,500 per month. The government is pushing Maharashtra to an economic crisis,' Sapkal said.
