Ladki Bahin scheme to empower women and boost state's economy: Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister CM Ajit Pawar on Monday said the Mahayuti government has prioritised infrastructure development along with agriculture industries employment generation and welfare schemes to achieve the goal of Viksit MaharashtraReplying to a debate in the legislative assembly on the state budget 202526 Pawar also said that the Ladki Bahin Yojana will empower women in Maharashtra and boost the states economyI would like to explain the unique significance of this scheme to the house As the Finance Minister when I look at this scheme I also consider what it will contribute to the statersquos economy in the future Direct cash transfers of Rs 1500 are being given to sisters The government has taken a big step in women empowerment he saidPawar said that the beneficiaries who open their accounts under the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive loans ranging from Rs 10000 to Rs 25000There are institutions such as the Maharashtra Womenrsquos Economic Development Corporation district cooperative banks and cooperative banks in the state For women who want to start small or large businesses I urge you to launch loan schemes in conjunction with the Ladki Bahin Scheme This will not only keep the scheme as assistance but will also take a step forward in empowering women This is not a small sum approximately Rs 45000 crore will go to women every year Through this the sisters will become empowered their families will benefit and this money will flow into the statersquos economy contributing both large and small to the economic growth the Finance Minister saidHe also stated that the government has decided to increase the provisions for schemes for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled TribesA 40 per cent increase has been proposed for schemes benefiting Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Provisions have also been made for Other Backward Classes OBCs Vimukta Jatis Nomadic Tribes Special Backward Classes Dhangars and differentlyabled individuals said PawarStates debt burdenThe issue of the states rising debt burden was raised in the discussion He informed that the estimated debt for 202425 is Rs 782991 crore Looking at the data of the Gross State Domestic Product GSDP and the total debt over the past 15 years it is observed that as GSDP has increased the total debt has also increased in proportion The ratio of debt to GSDP has remained between 16 per cent and 19 per cent informed PawarIn 202526 the estimated GSDP of the state will be Rs 4939305 crore with a debt of Rs 932242 crore which is about 1887 per cent of GSDPThe state can take on debt up to 25 per cent Therefore the current debt is within a safe limit and it is incorrect to spread misconceptions about the states debt situation he clarifiedAccording to Pawar the Central Government has introduced the Scheme of Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure to help states with capital expenditure This scheme offers interestfree loans with a tenure of 50 years By March Rs 12000 crore is expected to be disbursed under this scheme Pawar said The funds will be used for capital expenditure on projects such as roads tourism development medical colleges infrastructure water supply projects and urban facilities