Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stalled yet another populist scheme introduced by the previous Mahayuti government under Eknath Shinde. The Mukhyamantri Yojanadoot scheme, announced in August 2024 with a budget of Rs 300 crore, has been put on hold due to financial constraints.

The scheme aimed to generate employment by recruiting 50,000 young individuals for six months, offering them a monthly stipend of Rs 10,000. Each gram panchayat in rural areas and each ward in urban regions was to have one ‘doot’ (messenger) responsible for promoting various government schemes.

An official from the skill development department, which had envisioned the scheme, revealed that early doubts about its execution arose when application deadlines were repeatedly extended. Initially set for September 17, 2024, the deadline was pushed to October 13 due to pressure from ruling party leaders, reported media. However, with the model code of conduct coming into force on October 15, the scheme’s implementation was halted after the Opposition filed a complaint with the Election Commission, claiming it was a ploy to influence voters.

CM Orders To Put Scheme On Hold

Following the formation of the new government, the department approached CM Fadnavis for approval to proceed with the scheme. However, last month, officials were instructed to put it on hold. The government had already spent Rs 2 crore to develop an application portal, and 2.5 lakh applications were scrutinised.

An official disclosed that while the scheme was designed to benefit unemployed youth, ruling party leaders sought to use it for their own workers. Approximately 40,000 applications were submitted directly to the Chief Minister and the two Deputy Chief Ministers, requesting job allocations for party loyalists. The delay in implementation was partly due to resistance from bureaucrats who refused to bow to political pressure, according to the report.

Of the 2.5 lakh applicants, 427 were shortlisted for villages where only one applicant was available. In cases where multiple candidates applied for a single position, they were required to appear before an interview panel consisting of officers from the collectorate, the assistant skill development commissioner and the district information officer.

Yojanadoot Scheme Among 6 Projects Shut By Mahayuti 2.0 Govt

Reports citing sources in Mantralaya indicate that the scheme is unlikely to be revived, as it was primarily designed with electoral considerations in mind. This is one of at least six schemes or projects approved by the previous government that have now been stalled. The current administration also halted the Anandacha Shidha scheme, which provided food grains to the poor and scrapped the plan to acquire 1,310 new buses for the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).

The government’s decision to roll back these initiatives is largely due to financial strain. Maharashtra is currently burdened with a debt of Rs 7.82 lakh crore, and the fiscal deficit for the ongoing financial year (2024-25) is expected to exceed Rs 2 lakh crore.