Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has launched a scathing attack on the state's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. He has accused the administration of deceiving women and girls in the name of a popular welfare scheme.
Allegations of a Broken Promise
Hooda's criticism centers on the Mukhyamantri Lado Beti Protsahan Yojana. This initiative, launched to encourage the birth and education of girl children, promises financial assistance. According to Hooda, the government is failing to deliver on its core commitment. He stated that while the scheme advertises support, the promised funds are not actually being deposited into the beneficiaries' accounts.
"The government is only deceiving women in the name of the 'Lado' scheme," Hooda declared. He emphasized that this is not an isolated issue but part of a broader pattern where the government makes grand announcements but fails in execution. The former CM argued that such actions erode public trust in state-run welfare programs.
Context and Political Clash
These allegations were made during a significant political event. Hooda was speaking at a Congress workers' conference in Gohana, Sonipat district. The gathering was organized to welcome former MLA Jai Prakash, who recently left the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) to join the Congress party. This political defection and the subsequent conference provided the platform for Hooda's critique of the ruling dispensation.
Hooda contrasted the current government's performance with the legacy of the Congress party in Haryana. He reminded the audience of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) implemented by the previous Congress government, which he claimed was scrapped by the BJP-JJP coalition, causing financial insecurity for employees. He positioned the Congress as a party that fulfills its promises, unlike the present administration.
Broader Critique of Governance
The accusation regarding the Lado scheme was part of a wider indictment of the state government's policies. Hooda lambasted the administration for issues like rising unemployment, inflation, and law and order problems. He claimed that Haryana, which was once a leader in per capita income, investment, and employment, has now fallen behind on these critical indicators due to poor governance.
He also touched upon the controversial Agniveer scheme for army recruitment, stating that it has dampened the spirits of the youth in a state known for its military service. Hooda's speech was a comprehensive political charge, framing the upcoming elections as a battle for Haryana's restoration and promising that a Congress government would reinstate beneficial schemes and ensure proper implementation.
The allegations raise serious questions about the implementation of a key social welfare scheme aimed at empowering girls. With elections on the horizon, such claims are likely to intensify the political debate in the state, putting the government's delivery mechanisms under scrutiny.
