Connect with us
Sunday,09-November-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Govt Planning To Drop 50 Lakh Women From ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana’ Amid Financial Strain: Report

Published

on

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government is set to exclude 50 lakh women from the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana’ as part of a cost-cutting measure to ease the financial burden on the state treasury. Introduced before the Assembly elections, the scheme promised Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women, but mounting expenses have forced the Mahayuti government to tighten eligibility criteria.

Both Dy CMs Batting For Scheme Since Its Introduction

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar praised the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana’ after its introduction and after the Mahayuti alliance’s victory in the recent Assembly Elections.

Shinde called it a ‘transformative step towards women’s financial independence,’ while Pawar stressed its potential to uplift economically weaker sections. After the Assembly elections, both leaders hailed the scheme’s success, attributing it to the government’s commitment to social welfare and women’s empowerment.

The scheme initially had 2.46 crore beneficiaries, leading to a hefty monthly expenditure of around Rs 3,700 crore. Over the past six months, the initiative has cost the state approximately Rs 21,600 crore, impacting the funding of other crucial government programs.

Maha Govt Tightens Grip On Ineligible Beneficiaries

To address this, the government has begun scrutinizing beneficiaries’ financial status with the help of the Income Tax Department. So far, nearly 9 lakh women have been removed from the scheme and the target is to disqualify a total of 50 lakh ineligible beneficiaries, reported Saamana. This move is expected to save the state Rs 1,620 crore annually.

In January, the government’s stricter checks reduced the beneficiary count by 5 lakh, saving about Rs 75 crore. In February, another 4 lakh women were excluded, adding Rs 60 crore to the savings. The primary focus is on beneficiaries with yellow and orange ration cards and those under the Namo Shetkari Samman Nidhi.

e-KYC Introduced To Ensure Deserving Applicants Get Benefits

To facilitate the screening process, the government has mandated e-KYC (electronic Know Your Customer) verification, ensuring that only genuinely deserving candidates continue to receive benefits under the scheme.

While this move might stabilise state finances, it has sparked concerns among affected women and raised questions about the scheme’s political implications as elections approach.

Maharashtra

Govandi is changing: Successful Talent of Govandi Festival filled with children’s artistic talents

Published

on

Govandi: With the aim of changing the negative image of Govandi, notorious for drug addiction and crime, and providing a bright future for the children here, the Abu Asim Azmi Foundation, led by local MLA Abu Asim Azmi, has taken a big step. The foundation recently successfully organized the “Talent of Govandi Festival”, which was going on for the past one month.

The festival organized various competitions related to education, sports, skills and talents. Thousands of children from Govandi, Mankhurd, and Shivaji Nagar enthusiastically participated in more than 17 competitions, including singing, dancing, drawing, speech, mehndi, recitation, naat, handicrafts, rangoli, carom, boxing, cricket, volleyball, badminton, karate and poetry. The children performed brilliantly by showcasing their talents and hard work. The new and hidden talents of Govandi were introduced not only locally but also internationally. On this occasion, those IAS officers who added to the glory of Govandi were also honored. MLA Abu Asim Azmi, motivational speakers Sir Awadh Ojha and Sana Khan, and social media influencer Faizo among other dignitaries were present at the event. All of them encouraged the children and gave them prizes. The main objective of the festival was to encourage children to stay away from drugs and choose a better life and make their future bright, through which the talents of the children of Govindi were introduced to the whole world.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Accused wanted in Madhya Pradesh murder arrested after 7 years from Dhoni

Published

on

Mumbai: Paidhoni Police Station has traced the accused who was absconding for 7 years in a murder case in Madhya Pradesh and handed him over to the Madhya Pradesh Police. 6 November
‎From Katni district of Madhya Pradesh, Police Sub-Inspector Rishabh Singh Baghel, Dilip Kaul of Barhi Police Station informed Paidhoni Police that a case has been registered under sections 302, 294, 323, 324, 506, 147, 148 of the Indian Penal Code at Barhi Police Station, Katni district, Madhya Pradesh. The accused in this case is wanted for the last 7 years and is still hiding in the limits of Paidhoni Police Station in Mumbai, help has been sought from the police to trace him. This was informed to Hon. After which the higher officers were informed about this and the above wanted accused was searched and he was detained from the footpath near Balgi Hotel, P.D. Melo Road, Masjid Bunder East, Mumbai. Later he was brought to the Paidhoni Police Station and interrogated regarding the crime. Since there was evidence of his involvement in the crime, the said accused was handed over to the police team at the above police station, district. Katni and they took him to the Barhi Police Station. Where further investigation is underway. The accused has been identified as Raja Ram Ramadhar Tiwari, 35 years old. With the cooperation of the Mumbai Police, the Madhya Pradesh Police solved the case and the wanted accused has been arrested on charges of murder.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai Weather Update: City Wakes Up To Clear Skies, Mild Breeze; Overall AQI Stays In Moderate Range At 78

Published

on

wether

Mumbai: After weeks of unsettled weather and intermittent showers, the city finally woke up to clear skies and crisp air on Thursday, marking what appears to be the end of the monsoon season. For the past two days, no rainfall was recorded across Mumbai, signalling that the retreating monsoon clouds have made way for the onset of post-monsoon conditions.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the city is expected to experience clear skies through the day, with only a minimal chance of isolated light showers or thunderstorms in select pockets. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover around 33°C, while the minimum will settle near 23°C, conditions described as pleasant and comfortable for early November.

The recent spell of short but intense showers had not only brought temporary relief from humidity but also helped wash out accumulated pollutants, leading to an overall improvement in air quality. Prior to this, the withdrawal of monsoon winds had caused a spike in pollution levels due to stagnant air and increased vehicular emissions, resulting in a hazy skyline and reduced visibility.

Fresh data released by AQI.in on Thursday morning reflected this improvement. Mumbai’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 78, placing it in the moderate category. While the figure marks a slight dip from the good air quality recorded earlier in the week, it still represents a substantial improvement compared to the smog-filled conditions observed after monsoon withdrawal.

Residents across various parts of the city reported clearer skylines and visibly better air. Among the city’s monitoring stations, Wadala Truck Terminal recorded the highest AQI reading at 92, followed by Parel-Bhoiwada (90) and Mulund West (88). Santacruz East and Bhandup West both registered an AQI of 87, keeping them within the moderate range.

Cleaner air was observed in several western suburbs, where Kandivali East recorded an AQI of 45, falling in the good category. Malad West (59), Powai (62), Jogeshwari (65), and Borivali East (67) were all categorised as moderate, suggesting a consistent improvement across the city’s landscape.

As per AQI.in’s classification, an index between 0–50 is considered “Good,” 51–100 “Moderate,” 101–150 “Poor,” 151–200 “Unhealthy,” and anything above 200 is deemed “Severe” or “Hazardous.”

Continue Reading

Trending