Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has reaffirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to the transformative Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, dismissing rumors of its discontinuation during the launch of the Mukhyamantri Samruddha Panchayat Raj Abhiyan in Kingaon, Phulambri taluka. The ambitious campaign aims to bring central and state welfare schemes to every village, ensuring holistic rural development and empowering women to become financially independent.

Addressing concerns about the popular Ladki Bahin scheme, which provides eligible women with Rs 1,500 monthly assistance, Fadnavis declared, “Our sisters should not believe those spreading false claims about scrapping this scheme. We’re not stopping at Rs 1,500. Our vision is to create one crore Lakhpati Didis—women earning Rs 1 lakh annually—through women-led credit societies in villages.” These societies will offer interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh, enabling women to start businesses, achieve self-reliance, and create job opportunities for others.

Fadnavis emphasized that Maharashtra’s progress hinges on the prosperity of its villages, particularly for the poor, laborers, and marginalized communities like Dalits and Adivasis. The Samruddha Panchayat Raj Abhiyan will channel public participation, government funds, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to transform 28,000 gram panchayats and 40,000 villages into model villages. “This campaign will ensure clean water, green villages through plantations, and financial independence,” he said, highlighting plans to integrate schemes like MGNREGA for village-level infrastructure projects such as roads, Anganwadis, water tanks, and drainage systems.

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The initiative also includes a unique incentive: villages demonstrating exceptional performance will receive awards totaling Rs 250 crore. Additionally, village-level societies will be empowered to engage in 17 types of businesses, fostering local economies. “Our goal is to make villages financially capable and self-sustaining,” Fadnavis added.

Responding to concerns raised by Maharashtra minister Sanjay Shirsat about the drought-prone Marathwada region, Fadnavis pledged to make it drought-free. “Marathwada’s journey toward progress has begun, and we aim to transform it into one of India’s fastest-growing regions,” he said, promising a dedicated welfare package for the eight districts of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Jalna, Beed, Parbhani, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, and Hingoli.

This bold initiative underscores the Maharashtra government’s commitment to inclusive growth, women’s empowerment, and sustainable rural development, positioning the state as a model for transformative governance.

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