Nagpur: Congress MLA Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday alleged that around 80 lakh women were dropped from the Ladki Bahin scheme after the elections, calling it evidence that the programme was used as an electoral tool. He also warned that the recent hike in commercial LPG prices to Rs 3,100 would have a cascading impact on businesses and consumers.
Allegations of Electoral Misuse
Wadettiwar stated, "Vidhan Sabha elections are over, municipal corporations are done, and several zilla parishads and nagar parishads have also gone to polls. Now those in government are sitting comfortably while Ladki Bahin beneficiaries have been left to fend for themselves." He cautioned that the women excluded from the scheme would hold the government accountable. "These 80 lakh women will not forget this betrayal. The government will have to answer for what they see as a fraud against Ladki Bahin beneficiaries," he said.
Impact of LPG Price Hike
On the LPG price hike, Wadettiwar said the increase in commercial cylinder rates would hit the industrial sector, hotels, and small businesses. "Hotels will raise prices, and small enterprises dependent on commercial LPG will come under severe pressure," he explained. He further alleged that the government was following a pattern of rolling out welfare schemes ahead of elections and scaling them back later, warning that such tactics could have political consequences in upcoming polls.
