Govt will support Ladki Bahin-powered Co-Op society: Maharashtra CM

Deva Bhau a title CM Devendra Fadnavis earned after he launched the Ladki Bahin Yojana just gave more power to womenrsquos groups helping them utilise the scheme funds for an innovative venturemdashsetting up the Mahila Samman Credit CoOperative Society Over 3000 beneficiaries of the yojana in Nagpur have come together contributing Rs 1000 each from funds they received in the schemeThe total amount raisedmdashRs 30 lakhmdashhas been used to establish the Mahila Samman Credit CoOperative Society aimed at supporting small businesses The model has become a talking point in Mantralaya and political corridors and is now referred to as the lsquoNagpur Modelrsquo as the idea emerged from the hometown of Chief Minister Devendra FadnavisChief Minister Devendra FadnavisSpeaking to midday Fadnavis apheplauded the initiative calling it ldquohearteningrdquo to see such innovative steps taken by these women ldquoThe government will help these womenrsquos groups build the institutionrdquo Fadnavis addedWomenled transformationPolitical observers note that womenrsquos leadership in national transformation has been a defining feature of Prime Minister Narendra Modirsquos government Taking a cue from the PMrsquos vision the state too has shifted its focus from womenrsquos development to womenled developmentBefore the Assembly polls the Mahayuti government launched the Ladki Bahin Yojana a welfare scheme that not only helped the BJPled alliance secure a thumping victory but also earned Fadnavis the moniker lsquoDeva BhaursquoUnder this scheme the state government provides Rs 1500 as a monthly allowance to women In less than five months the scheme has begun yielding resultsmdashexemplified by the Nagpur Model where financial assistance from the government has been used to launch a business and empower womenGovernment responsemidday attempted to reach out to Dr Anup Kumar Yadav secretary of the Women and Child Development Department for further details but the IAS officer was unavailable for commentDr Anup Kumar Yadav secretary of the Women and Child Development Department mentions about the Mahila Samman Credit CoOperative SocietyHowever another Mantralaya official speaking on condition of anonymity stated that the credit society will continue to function on the interest earned from its capital ldquoThe department plans to set up a support system for women who come forward with fresh ideas for social enterprises helping them achieve financial freedom and relief from daily drudgeryrdquo the official addedThe officer further emphasised the importance of encouraging such initiatives which would increase the inflow of funds into rural areas ldquoThis will boost the rural economy and even slow down migration to citiesrdquo the officer saidTo promote such entrepreneurship the government plans to provide additional assistance through the Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal MAVIM Established in 1975 MAVIM was recognised in 2023 as the statersquos nodal agency for womenrsquos empowermentBeneficiary scrutinyAccording to government records the initial number of Ladki Bahin Yojana beneficiaries was pegged at 246 crore women However after scrutiny the number of recipients dropped to 237 crore ldquoPostelections and verification led to the removal of women who no longer meet the eligibility criteria The process is ongoing and the number of ineligible beneficiaries may rise furtherrdquo said another Mantralaya official on condition of anonymityEarlier Aditi Tatkare minister of women and child development posted on social media platform X about a reduction of five lakh beneficiaries following scrutiny by the departmentThe scheme is said to have placed a financial burden of Rs 46000 crore on the state This burden is expected to rise further if the Mahayuti government fulfils its election promise of increasing the monthly allowance to Rs 2100Eligibility criteria for Ladki BahinWomen aged 21 to 65 from families with an annual income below Rs 25 lakh are eligible for the scheme However those who have a family member who is an income taxpayer a permanent government employee or a pensioner or those receiving benefits from other government financial schemes are ineligible Additionally women from families that own a fourwheelermdashexcept a tractormdashdo not qualify for the scheme