Sena minister blames women, senior citizen concessions for transport body’s loss
After the Ladki Bahin Yojana, another scheme launched by the previous Eknath Shinde-led ‘Mahayuti’ alliance government is being blamed for causing losses to the state exchequer of Maharashtra.
Mumbai: After the Ladki Bahin Yojana, another scheme launched by the previous Eknath Shinde-led ‘Mahayuti’ alliance government is being blamed for causing losses to the state exchequer of Maharashtra. State transport minister and Shiv Sena leader Pratap Sarnaik on Thursday said concessions given to women and senior citizens in state transport buses has resulted in financial losses for Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC).
Speaking in Dharashiv, Sarnaik said, “Women and senior citizens were given concessions to travel. Fifty per cent discount in buses for our beloved sisters, free buses for senior citizens… Due to this, the corporation is losing Rs three crore every day.”
The minister said that the situation had made it unfeasible for MSRTC to think of any fresh discount for new segments. “No new concession will be given in state transport buses. If we keep giving such concessions to everyone, it will be difficult to run the corporation,” he added.
Before the Vidhan Sabha polls last year, the Shinde-led Mahayuti Government announced a 50 percent discount to women and free travel for senior citizens (above 75 years) in state transport buses. The decision to extend concessions in MSRTC ticket rates for women and senior citizens had raised eyebrows as the corporation had been running on losses for years and was dependent on state government assistance to pay salaries to its staff.
Sarnaik’s statement has raised question marks over the concessions given to women and senior citizens in ST travel. There are also reports that the Ladki Bahin scheme is putting strain on the state exchequer and it might be shut. Opposition leaders have alleged that the government may eventually phase out the scheme under the pretext of verification.
However, Shinde made it clear that the welfare schemes announced by his earlier government will continue. “The Chief Minister’s Ladki Bahin scheme will not be discontinued. At the same time, the 50 percent discount given to beloved sisters and the discount given to senior citizens in ST bus travel will not be discontinued,” said Shinde.
The Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched in the run-up to the Vidhan Sabha polls when Shinde was the chief minister. Under this scheme, eligible women receive a monthly aid of ₹1,500, which has benefited approximately 2.46 crore women from July to January.
After the drubbing in the Lok Sabha polls, the Ladki Bahin Yojana played a major role in bringing the Mahayuti alliance, which included the BJP, Shiv Sena and NCP, back to power in the Vidhan Sabha elections
