Latest news with #SocialJusticeDepartment
Indian Express
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Bihar in sight, Haryana BJP govt all set to roll out Lado-Lakshmi Yojana
In a move that the party may showcase in its campaign for the Bihar Assembly polls, the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government in Haryana is set to implement the Lado-Lakshmi Yojana it had promised before the state elections. The scheme entails monthly financial aid of Rs 2,100 to eligible women. Sources said that the draft policy, prepared by the Social Justice Department, has been forwarded for final approval to Chief Minister Saini, who is likely to package it as a 'gift for Haryana's women' and officially roll it out before Rakshabandhan. 'The BJP made a promise to the sisters and mothers of Haryana ahead of last year's Assembly polls. We have worked on the modalities and have sent it to the CM's office. Saini will officially launch the scheme in the coming days,' Social Justice Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said. According to the draft policy, the scheme will be rolled out in four phases. Women falling below the poverty line (BPL) with an annual income of less than Rs 1.8 lakh, who number around 46 lakh, would be covered in the first phase. 'The poorest of the poor, whose annual income is below Rs 1 lakh, may be given priority,' an official said. Officials said assistance under the scheme, which has a budgetary allocation of Rs 5,000 crore, 'may be increased' once the government finalises the actual number of beneficiaries. Officials peg the number of women between the age groups 18 and 60 to be around 75 lakh, but said employed women and the almost 8.5 lakh women who already avail social security benefits like widow, destitute, retirement and abandonment pension are likely to be excluded from the scheme. 'The eligibility criteria is yet to be finalised by the CM's office,' sources said. The Saini government's initiative is in line with other BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, where the Ladli Behen Yojana and Ladki Bahin Yojana were rolled out respectively ahead of Assembly polls, and seemingly played a key role in bringing the party back to power. Earlier this month, Saini too hinted that the scheme may be rolled out soon and said his government was coming up with a portal for eligible women to register themselves even as officials said that the portal will go live immediately after the CM makes an announcement. Currently, the Haryana government implements schemes like the Aapki Beti, Humari Beti; Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao; Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Udyamita Yojana; Mahila Adhikarita Yojana; Kanyadaan scheme; and Drone Didi to cater to girl children, women entrepreneurs, widows, and women belonging to backward communities.
Indian Express
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Saini govt to walk the talk, roll out Lado-Lakshmi Yojana in Haryana soon
In a move that the party may showcase in its campaign for the Bihar Assembly polls, the Nayab Singh Saini-led BJP government in Haryana is set to implement the Lado-Lakshmi Yojana it had promised before the state elections. The scheme entails monthly financial aid of Rs 2,100 to eligible women. Sources said that the draft policy, prepared by the Social Justice Department, has been forwarded for final approval to Chief Minister Saini, who is likely to package it as a 'gift for Haryana's women' and officially roll it out before Rakshabandhan. 'The BJP made a promise to the sisters and mothers of Haryana ahead of last year's Assembly polls. We have worked on the modalities and have sent it to the CM's office. Saini will officially launch the scheme in the coming days,' Social Justice Minister Krishan Kumar Bedi said. According to the draft policy, the scheme will be rolled out in four phases. Women falling below the poverty line (BPL) with an annual income of less than Rs 1.8 lakh, who number around 46 lakh, would be covered in the first phase. 'The poorest of the poor, whose annual income is below Rs 1 lakh, may be given priority,' an official said. Officials said assistance under the scheme, which has a budgetary allocation of Rs 5,000 crore, 'may be increased' once the government finalises the actual number of beneficiaries. Officials peg the number of women between the age groups 18 and 60 to be around 75 lakh, but said employed women and the almost 8.5 lakh women who already avail social security benefits like widow, destitute, retirement and abandonment pension are likely to be excluded from the scheme. 'The eligibility criteria is yet to be finalised by the CM's office,' sources said. The Saini government's initiative is in line with other BJP-ruled states like Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, where the Ladli Behen Yojana and Ladki Bahin Yojana were rolled out respectively ahead of Assembly polls, and seemingly played a key role in bringing the party back to power. Earlier this month, Saini too hinted that the scheme may be rolled out soon and said his government was coming up with a portal for eligible women to register themselves even as officials said that the portal will go live immediately after the CM makes an announcement. Currently, the Haryana government implements schemes like the Aapki Beti, Humari Beti; Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao; Mukhyamantri Matrushakti Udyamita Yojana; Mahila Adhikarita Yojana; Kanyadaan scheme; and Drone Didi to cater to girl children, women entrepreneurs, widows, and women belonging to backward communities. Andhra Pradesh YSR Cheyutha, first women-centric scheme in any state Launched in 2020 Granted Rs 75,000 over four years For women aged 45-60 and from SC, ST and OBC communities Aadabidda Nidhi Launched in 2024 Grants Rs 1,500 per month For all women aged 18 and above West Bengal Lakshmi Bhandar Launched in February 2021 Grants Rs 1,200 per month for SCs and STs; Rs 1,000 per month for other communities For women aged 25-60 Madhya Pradesh Ladli Behna Announced in 2023 Grants Rs 1,250 per month For women aged 23-60 Himachal Pradesh Indira Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Launched in 2024 Grants Rs 1,000 per month For women aged 18-60 Jharkhand Maiyya Samman Launched in August 2023 Grants Rs 2,500 per month For women aged between 18-50 and falling under Antyodaya category. Karnataka Gruha Lakshmi Launched in August 2023 Grants Rs 2,000 per month For all women falling below the poverty line Tamil Nadu Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam Launched in September 2023 Grants Rs 1,000 per month For women aged above 21 whose annual household income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh Chhattisgarh Mahtari Vandan Launched in March 2024 Grants Rs 1,000 per month For all women aged 21 and above Maharashtra Mazhi Ladki Bahin Launched in July 2024 Grants Rs 1,500 per month For one woman in every family whose annual household income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh Odisha Subhadra Yojana Launched in September 2024 Grant Rs 50,000 over five years For women aged 21-60
News18
08-07-2025
- General
- News18
From Grey Hair To Wedding Flair: Thrissur Couple Finds Love At 75+
Written By : Last Updated: Love isn't on a deadline! At 79 and 75, Vijayaraghavan and Sulochana tied the knot in a Kerala old age home, proving that romance can bloom even after retirement. In a quiet corner of Thrissur, a story bloomed that gently defies society's timeline on love. At the Government old age home, where many assume life begins to slow down, two hearts decided to begin again, this time, together. Vijayaraghavan, 79, a resident since 2019 and a native of Peramangalam, found companionship in 75-year-old Sulochana from Irinjalakuda, who joined the facility just last year. Over cups of tea, conversations, and shared routines, their bond deepened. Eventually, the duo expressed a simple but profound wish: they wanted to get married. Their request, conveyed to the warden, was met not with raised eyebrows, but with warmth and support. Under the leadership of the Social Justice Department, and through the provisions of the Special Marriage Act, the couple tied the knot in a ceremony filled with flowers, laughter, and silent tears. This wasn't a hushed affair. Kerala's Higher Education and Social Justice Minister Dr R Bindu, Thrissur Mayor M K Varghese, and several dignitaries stood witness as the couple exchanged garlands. The event was graced by members of the Corporation Welfare Standing Committee, District Social Justice Officer K R Pradeepan, and Superintendent Radhika, alongside a hall full of clapping fellow residents. In a world obsessed with youth, this Thrissur wedding quietly told us: life doesn't stop after 60. Sometimes, it begins again, bright, bold, and beautifully late. First Published: July 08, 2025, 19:15 IST
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ladki Bahin scheme: BJP's Bawankule refutes charges of illegal fund diversion
Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Wednesday rubbished claims that the state government diverted funds from other departments for the Ladki Bahin scheme , asserting that the Devendra Fadnavis-led dispensation was committed to safeguarding the vulnerable sections of society. In the recent past, state Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat accused the Ajit Pawar-led Finance Department of high-handedness in what he termed as illegal diversion of funds from his department without his knowledge. Acknowledging that the state was facing financial constraints due to the women-centric welfare scheme launched last year ahead of the assembly polls, the Shiv Sena minister had said the state government should better "shut" the Social Justice Department instead of periodic diversion of the allocated funds. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Don't Forget To Block Ads Before Wednesday Lifestyle Tech Tips Click Here Undo Also Read: After Ladki Bahin scheme, Maharashtra hikes liquor duties to ease cash crunch Under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Mahayuti government's flagship scheme launched in August 2024, a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 is given to eligible women in the state. The scheme's estimated annual outlay is more than Rs 40,000 crore. Live Events Responding to a question related to Shirsat's allegations, Bawankule, who is also the state chief of the ruling BJP , said, "There is a legal provision which ensures that funds earmarked for departments like Social Justice and Tribal Development, cannot be diverted for any other purpose." "These funds are reserved and the government has no power to override those provisions. At times, there could be delays in disbursement of funds, but that should not be misconstrued as diversion," he added. He asserted that the Fadnavis government was committed to safeguarding the budgetary allocations made for the vulnerable sections of society. "This administration will never interfere with or misappropriate funds allocated to the Social Justice and Tribal Development departments," he said. Shirsat had claimed on May 2 that funds of more than Rs 413 crore were reallocated from the Social Justice Department to finance the Ladki Bahin scheme. He also alleged that an additional Rs 335 crore had been diverted from the Tribal Development Department in a similar way. Claiming that these reallocations were done unilaterally and in violation of constitutional safeguards, he had also said that if the government does not need the Social Justice Department, it might as well dissolve it entirely rather than continuing to undermine its financial capacity. Days later, he again said such diversions would cripple operations of his department and erode public trust in the welfare programmes meant for underprivileged groups. The issue brought to the fore the internal friction within the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP. Responding to the accusations, Ajit Pawar had earlier downplayed the matter and suggested that such disagreements should have been addressed within cabinet meetings rather than in public. CM Fadnavis had also clarified that no funds were diverted from other departments for the Ladki Bahin scheme, and said those who do not understand the budget were making unsubstantiated claims. "The charges (of fund diversion for the Ladki Bahin Yojana) are wrong. Only those who don't understand the budget can make such a charge. Rules say funds should be reserved for SCs/STs. Maximum funds should be reserved for personal benefit schemes and some for infrastructure development," the CM said in the last week of May. "Ladki Bahin Yojana falls under the category of giving personal benefit to beneficiaries. So, if you give money to this scheme, then as per budgetary rules, it has to be shown under the Tribal Affairs Department and the Social Justice Department," he said.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra social justice dept reviews schemes to expand reach and boost funding
Mumbai, The Maharashtra Social Justice Department has launched a review of its existing welfare schemes and scholarships to widen their scope and financial allocations so that beneficiaries can be served better, a senior official said on Thursday. Some of the current schemes have become outdated or financially inadequate, prompting the need for detailed meetings to assess each initiative, the senior official told PTI. 'Many of our schemes, including scholarships, offer assistance that's no longer meaningful in today's context,' the official said. 'Take, for instance, the pre-matric scholarship for Scheduled Caste students – it provides just ₹150 . That amount hardly covers any real educational expenses. We are working on increasing such allocations so students can truly benefit,' the official said. The review extends beyond scholarships. Schemes tied to cooperative industrial units, tractor distribution, entrepreneurship promotion, and various development corporations under the department are also being reassessed to ensure their continued relevance and effectiveness. When asked about the financial implications of this expansion, the official said, 'Our budget for 2025-26 has increased significantly—from ₹15,893 crore last year to ₹22,658 crore now. This ₹6,765 crore boost allows us to support more beneficiaries and improve the financial assistance offered under key schemes.' On whether the department could generate revenue like a few others in the state, the official said, 'The Social Justice Department is a welfare-oriented body. We do not have, nor should we be expected to have, revenue-generating mechanisms. Our role is to serve the underprivileged.' The official also said that a big chunk of the increased budget, about ₹3,960 crore of the ₹6,765 crore, will be transferred to the Women and Child Development Department to support the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana'. 'This money is specifically meant for Scheduled Caste women beneficiaries of the scheme, but the disbursement is routed through the WCD Department. It is our way of ensuring eligible women receive their monthly ₹1,500 assistance,' the official explained.
