“It is because of our beloved sisters that we have come to power in the state, and all of us brothers are working continuously to ensure your complete social and economic security,” said Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday. He was addressing a Raksha Bandhan function organised at Kalidas Theatre in Mulund, in the presence of Guardian Minister Ashish Shelar, MLA Mihir Kotecha, and others.
Fadnavis assured the beneficiaries that the Ladki Bahin scheme will not only continue but that the honorarium will be increased at the appropriate time. He clarified that although funds were stopped for those who misused the scheme, payments will be resumed for eligible women after re-verification by the District Collector. He firmly stated, “There is no scam in this scheme — the scam exists only in the minds of the opposition.”
Fadnavis also warned women to beware of "stepbrothers" referring to those allegedly trying to obstruct the scheme and said, “We stand strong with our sisters who brought this government to power. But some so-called stepbrothers are putting up roadblocks. They went to court and failed, and now they spread lies about corruption. But the scheme’s funds go directly from the government treasury into the accounts of our sisters, not into anyone else's pockets.”
He added, “The opposition can’t believe that a scheme for 2.5 crore women is being run without a single rupee of corruption. But sisters understand who only speaks and who actually delivers. As long as stepbrothers act like stepbrothers, our sisters will not let them succeed.”
Fadnavis further emphasised that the state is committed to creating one crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’ (women earning over INR 1 lakh annually). He said that 25 lakh Lakhpati Didis were empowered last year, and the goal is to create 25 lakh more this year. He also announced that Self-Help Group (SHG) malls will be set up in ten districts, giving women the opportunity to market and sell their products at scale.
On addressing misuse of the Ladki Bahin scheme, Fadnavis revealed that some men had fraudulently taken money using women’s names, and even used motorcycle photos to hide their identity. Such individuals have been identified and removed, and their benefits stopped.
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However, he directed that genuine beneficiaries should not be penalised for minor errors.
“District Collectors have been instructed not to stop a sister’s funds for small mistakes. Every case will be verified, and those who qualify will receive their rightful benefits,” he assured.