Fadnavis Counters Critics, Champions Women's Economic Independence
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis delivered a robust defense of the state's Ladki Bahin scheme on Monday. He spoke during an interactive event in Kolhapur. Fadnavis directly addressed recent criticism from political rivals about the program's Rs 1,500 monthly financial aid for women.
Scheme Brings Dignity and a Start, Says CM
The Chief Minister argued the initiative provides many women with personal earnings for the very first time. This financial independence, he stated, grants them newfound respect within their households and communities. "The status of women has changed due to this scheme," Fadnavis emphasized. He framed it as a foundational step toward greater economic empowerment.
Fadnavis connected the Ladki Bahin scheme to the central government's broader vision. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goal of creating one crore "lakhpati didis." These are women entrepreneurs who earn at least one lakh rupees annually. The CM reported significant progress, noting that over 50 lakh women in Maharashtra have already achieved this status in the past year.
"Their time has come," Fadnavis declared regarding women's advancement. He pointed to the impending introduction of women's reservation in Parliament from 2029 as further evidence. "No one can stop women's empowerment now," he asserted confidently.
Responding to Political Barbs
The Chief Minister's comments served as a rebuttal to remarks from the Thackeray cousins. Earlier, MNS chief Raj Thackeray questioned the utility of Rs 1,500 amid high inflation during a Nashik rally. He suggested the amount gets exhausted quickly on basic necessities like cooking gas.
Similarly, Uddhav Thackeray had previously insinuated the scheme was a political tool. He alleged it was designed to influence women voters toward the BJP. Fadnavis's detailed defense aimed to shift the narrative back to the scheme's socio-economic benefits.
Kolhapur's Development Takes Center Stage
The event, a 'Misal Katta' interaction, focused heavily on local issues. Fadnavis engaged with a panel including YouTuber Krishnaraj Mahadik, senior journalist Charudatta Joshi, and actor Swapnil Rajshekhar. Several state ministers and local MLAs were also present.
Urban Development and Local Governance
Fadnavis traced a shift in national focus toward city development post-2014. He explained that cities contribute nearly 65% of India's GDP. This rationale led to central schemes like Smart City and AMRUT, which funnel funds for urban infrastructure.
Drawing from his experience as a former corporator and mayor of Nagpur, Fadnavis stressed the critical role of local representatives. "Corporators are the first respondents to every issue," he said. He advocated for electing only those committed to serving as 'sevaks' or servants of the people for genuine urban progress.
Addressing Key Local Issues
The Chief Minister provided clear assurances on several long-standing Kolhapur concerns:
- Village Merger: On the contentious issue of merging surrounding villages into the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation, Fadnavis promised swift action. He said he would "sign the merger proposal within 15 minutes" if public representatives and citizens agreed. He offered to meet with the anti-merger action committee after elections to address their doubts.
- Investment and Airport: Fadnavis assured new investment and development for Kolhapur's airport, boosting connectivity and economic prospects.
- River Pollution: Addressing serious concerns about Panchaganga river pollution, the CM presented stark data. He admitted that currently, about 75% sewage and 25% industrial waste flows untreated into the river. He pledged to strive for 100% treatment of sewage from the city and adjoining villages.
- Water Management Vision: Fadnavis outlined an ambitious regional water diversion plan. He proposed channeling 30-35 TMC of the 120 TMC water that flows into Karnataka toward Ujani and further to Marathwada. This project, he explained, would serve a dual purpose: controlling floods in the Kolhapur-Sangli region and providing water to drought-prone areas of Marathwada.
The interaction presented a comprehensive picture of the Chief Minister's stance on women's welfare and his specific, actionable plans for the development of Kolhapur and the surrounding region.
