Mumbai: Even as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday called for a Maharashtra bandh (shutdown) on August 24 in the aftermath of a disturbing incident of sexual assault on two kindergarten girls at a Badlapur school, Dy. CM of Maharashtra downplayed the state bandh.
Pawar added that the Maharashtra Cabinet meeting will also take place on Saturday.
“Even the court has repeatedly warned against bandhs. We cannot support any wrongdoing. Necessary strict action will be taken in every case. Our public programme in Yavatmal will focus on the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme and other government initiatives,” Pawar said at a press conference.
Responding to whether the bandh was an attempt to undermine the Ladki Bahin scheme, Pawar said: “We will ensure that no false narratives are created against the government.”
The Deputy Chief Minister’s statement was made just hours after Uddhav Thackeray, the leader of the Shiv Sena-UBT, made a plea on Thursday to the people as well as political parties to join the bandh on Saturday to show solidarity and demand harsh punishment for crimes against women and girls.
“We all need to unite to ensure strict punishment for wrongdoers. There should be a fear of strict punishment in the minds of the culprits,” he said.
Earlier, Pawar launched the Maharashtrawadi Helpline number—9861717171—to ensure that government schemes reach the people of Maharashtra efficiently.
Also read – Where are we going as a society questions rahul gandhi in light of badlapur horror
The helpline will provide information on schemes, including the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana and Annapurna Yojana.
Pawar’s office has a designated desk where he reviews feedback from throughout the state every evening.
Pawar underlined that the goal of his work is to help all Maharashtrians, regardless of caste or community.
“Our schemes are intended for everyone in this state. The only category is beneficiary, nothing else,” the Deputy CM said.
According to Pawar, the state administration is resolving the technical issues that eligible female participants in the Ladki Bahin scheme encounter.
He added that the government had asked the nationalised banks not to deduct Rs 1,500 from the financial aid deposited through DBT mode in the bank accounts of eligible women beneficiaries, citing zero balance or other related issues.
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–IANS
