Sanjay Raut terms shinde govt's 'Ladla Bhai' scheme as 'election-gimmick'

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 18 : Stepping up attacks on Eknath Shinde's Maharashtra government, Shivsena UBT leader Sanjay Raut said that 'Ladla Bhai' scheme is an "election gimmick" and challenged the Mahayuti government to give Rs 10,000 to women instead of giving it to male students.
In an interview with ANI, on the 'Ladla Bhai' scheme, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, "Ladla Bhai, Ladle Pitaji, Ladli Mataji--all of these offers are for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections. There is no money in the government treasury. There is a debt of Rs. 8 lakh crores on the Maharashtra government. After losing the Lok Sabha elections, the group of Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar are remembering Ladli Behen and Ladla Bhai."
"They are giving Rs 1500 to 'Ladli Behen' and Rs 6000 to the 12th pass and Rs 10,000 to graduated Ladla Bhai but Ladli Behen needs it the most as she has to run the house. If you are that kind, then give Ladli Behen Rs 10,000 per month. But people know, this is all an election gimmick and their shops will shut down after it," added Raut.
After Chhagan Bhujbal met with Sharad Pawar and some NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) leaders resigned from the party, Raut said, "I don't know anything about it, it's Sharad Pawar Ji's party and matter, and he can handle it."
Raut also praised the recent encounter between Naxals and police officials in Gadchiroli in which 12 Naxals were gunned down and the police team recovered seven automotive weapons, including three AK-47s, two INSAS, one carbine, and one SLR.
Earlier, the Maharashtra government announced 'Ladla Bhai Yojna' to provide financial support to male students, under which the students of 12th pass will receive a fund of Rs 6,000 per month, diploma holders Rs 8,000 per month, and those with graduate degrees will get Rs 10,000.
Earlier last week, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar who also holds the finance portfolio in the state, presented the state budget in the Maharashtra Assembly during the ongoing Monsoon Session and announced the 'Mukhyanantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' a scheme under which all women between 21 and 60 years will be given 1500 per month. The scheme is inspired by Madhya Pradesh's Ladli Behna Yojana of the BJP government.
While presenting the budget Pawar said, "We are announcing Mukhyanantri Majhi Ladki Bahin (CM My Beloved Sister). Under this, all women will be given Rs 1500 per month. The scheme will be implemented from July 2024."Ajit Pawar said in the State Assembly on Friday that all beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme will get the benefit from July even if their documentation is completed in August or later."
"We have also decided to extend the deadline for application till 31st August and women up to the age of 65 years can apply instead of 60 years, as announced earlier," Ajit Pawar said.