Maharashtra govt eases rules on new scheme for women; Click here to know more

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Tuesday said the upper age limit for the state’s financial assistance scheme for women, Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, has been raised from 60 to 65 years.

Speaking during a discussion in the legislative assembly, the prime minister said the condition relating to women whose families own government land has been removed. As per the scheme, a woman and her family should not have land of more than five acres if she wants to register her name under the scheme.

The CM added that if a woman does not have a residence proof, she should produce a school leaving certificate, birth certificate, ration card or voter ID card. Married women should produce their spouse’s documents. Unmarried women can also avail the scheme, he added.

In the absence of income certificate, women can apply for food using saffron and yellow ration cards, Shinde added.

The chief minister also warned that the government will suspend and put behind bars those who demand money from eligible women to get benefits under the scheme. The CM’s warning came after news that women were paying bribes to get their names registered under the scheme in Warud taluka of Amravati district. Amravati Collector Saurabh Katiyar suspended Talathi Tulshiram Kanthale in the case.

He strongly defended the government’s decision to provide three free cylinders to women and free education for girls pursuing higher education.

The scheme, announced in the state budget presented to the assembly by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, aims to improve the social status of married, divorced and poor women aged 21-65. They will receive a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500.

Following the announcement, women flocked to government offices to enroll in the program. Shinde announced that given the overwhelming number of applications, the last date for submitting applications has been extended to July 15.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan demanded that the last date for registration of names under the scheme be extended beyond July 15. Chavan raised the issue in the legislative assembly, saying there was a stampede-like situation in many parts of the state as women were thronging registration centres.

Published: Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 01:48 AM IST