Adequate monetary provision for 'Ladki Bahin' scheme: Dy CM Ajit Pawar

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said adequate monetary provision has been made for the 'Ladki Bahin Yojana', the state government's financial assistance scheme for women. Pawar was responding to the opposition's criticism that the scheme was putting a financial strain on the state treasury. The 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' is a flagship programme of the Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti government, under which eligible women are given Rs 1,500 assistance per month. "I am the Finance Minister of the state. I can confirm that our annual revenue stands at around Rs 42-43 lakh crore. We are adhering to the fiscal framework designed for the state by the Centre, and we have not exceeded those calculations. I have handled the finance portfolio for over 10 years and presented several budgets during that time," he said while talking to reporters. Salaries, pensions, repayment of the loan have to be given priority in the budget, and the remaining funds are used .