PIL Filed Against Maharashtra Government’s Cash Assistance Schemes
Bombay High Court hears plea on contentious welfare schemes
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging Maharashtra’s ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ and ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojna’ was submitted to the Bombay High Court on Friday. These schemes, announced in the 2024-2025 budget, promise monthly financial aid to women and men in the state.
Financial Burden on Taxpayers
Advocate Owais Anwar Pechkar, representing the petitioner Naveed Abdul Saeed Mulla, requested an urgent hearing on August 5, along with an interim order to stay the program’s implementation. Mulla, a 39-year-old Chartered Accountant from Navi Mumbai, argues that such schemes impose an undue burden on taxpayers and the state’s finances. The schemes are estimated to cost ₹4,600 crore, while Maharashtra already grapples with a debt of ₹7.8 lakh crores.
Government’s Proposals
The government plans to provide ₹1,500 per month to women aged 21-65 with a family income below ₹2.5 lakh under the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’. Similarly, unemployed men aged 18-35 will receive stipends ranging from ₹6,000 to ₹10,000, depending on their qualifications, through the ‘Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojna’. These resolutions were introduced in late June and early July 2024.
Political Motives Questioned
The petitioner claims these schemes are politically motivated to sway voters ahead of the 2024 assembly elections. Highlighting concerns raised by the finance department, Mulla asserts that such schemes could be seen as corrupt practices under Section 123 of the Representation of People Act 1951. However, they avoid action from the Election Commission due to their pre-election announcement.
Court Hearing Scheduled
A Division Bench comprising Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar declined an urgent hearing and scheduled the matter for August 6. The petitioner maintains that taxpayers’ money should be reserved for infrastructure development, not cash handouts with questionable motives.
Mumbai Bureau
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/pil-filed-against-maharashtras-cash-benefit-schemes-in-high-court/article68477879.ece
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