Thu Jan 23 10:07:39 UTC 2025: ## Pawar Assures No Rollback of Maharashtra’s Women’s Empowerment Scheme
**Mumbai, January 23, 2025** – Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has guaranteed that the state government will not reclaim funds disbursed under the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ scheme, which provides a monthly allowance of ₹1,500 to women from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
The scheme, a key factor in the Mahayuti alliance’s election victory last year, currently benefits over 2.43 crore women, costing the state approximately ₹3,700 crore monthly. The government plans to increase the monthly allowance to ₹2,100.
Pawar’s statement addresses opposition concerns that the government would reduce the number of beneficiaries, recover funds from ineligible recipients, and ultimately scrap the scheme. He acknowledged challenges in verifying beneficiary details but insisted that no repayments would be sought.
While acknowledging potential misuse of government schemes, including the Re 1 crop insurance scheme (reported to have irregularities such as places of worship being falsely registered as agricultural land), Pawar stated that the government is addressing these issues.
Regarding reported tensions between the Shiv Sena and the NCP over district guardian minister appointments, Pawar deferred comment, stating that the decision rests with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis upon his return from Davos.
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