Ladki Bahin Yojana will hit other government schemes: Neerja Chowdhury
Pune: Senior journalist and political commentator Neerja Chowdhury has said that the Ladki Bahin Yojana would eat into funds meant for other welfare schemes. But it is impossible to suspend the scheme now.
Chowdhury said, “The Dalits and OBCs became aware of their rights in the past some decades. Now, women are also aware about them. The State Government gave Rs 7,500 to women, with which some women started small businesses such as selling vegetables and sarees. Thus, they decided to vote for the Maha Yuti. No government can suspend the scheme now. It is likely to hit other important government schemes.”
She was delivering the eighth Dileep Padgaonkar Memorial Lecture titled ‘Political decision making at the top, growing challenges’ organised jointly by the Symbiosis International (Deemed University) and the Pune International Centre (PIC).
Senior scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar, Symbiosis Founder-President Dr SB Mujumdar, Chancellor Dr Ramakrishnan Raman, Latika Padgaonkar and Senior Journalist Abhay Vaidya were present.
Neerja Chowdhury said, “Decisions made at the topmost level impact millions of citizens in the country and generations. For example, The Mandal Commission decision. The OBCs’ political power grew in India after the implementation of its recommendations. PM Narendra Modi could become the PM because of the Mandal Commission. Rajiv Gandhi’s decision in the Shah Bano case caused a furore. It became difficult for him to tackle the situation. The phrase ‘Muslim appeasement’ was coined after that. A forward-thinking Prime Minister did not know how to handle an old India.
“Every election gives birth to a new voter. Today, employment is a burning problem in India. But it does not become an election plank. Moreover, issues such as environment, education, health, technology are on the back burner. There is no such diversity seen in India elsewhere in the world. It is a challenge to preserve this diversity. We need to work on decision-making and policies in this regard.
“Earlier, men used to decide whom women would vote for. The situation has changed now. The veil on the head is being pushed back a bit. Earning money has empowered them. This century belongs to them.”
Dr Ramkrishna Raman gave the introductory speech. Abhay Vaidya proposed a vote of thanks.
