The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP SP) leader Supriya Sule on Monday claimed that the suspension of several welfare schemes in Maharashtra is a sign of the state’s deteriorating financial condition.
In a post on X, Sule wrote, “During the tenure of then Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, the state government had started distributing the Anandacha Shidha (festive ration kits) on the occasions of Shiv Jayanti, Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, Gudi Padwa, Ganeshotsav, and Diwali. However, the scheme was not implemented during the last Ganeshotsav, raising questions about whether it was still active.”
She further stated, “Subsequently, media reports have indicated that the scheme is now likely to be discontinued. As a result, there is uncertainty among the public as to whether the Anandacha Shidha will be distributed this Diwali under the scheme. The government must immediately come forward and provide a clear explanation regarding the status of this scheme. If it is indeed being discontinued, the state must inform the public of the exact reasons behind the decision.”
Sule wrote, “Our demand to the government is that the scheme should not be discontinued. On the contrary, the ration kits that were not distributed during Ganeshotsav should be provided during this Diwali.”
तत्कालिन मुख्यमंत्री एकनाथ शिंदे यांच्या काळात शिवजयंती, भारतरत्न डॉ बाबासाहेब आंबेडकर जयंती, गुढीपाडवा, गणेशोत्सव, दिवाळी यानिमित्ताने राज्य सरकारने आनंदाचा शिधा देण्यास सुरुवात केली होती. परंतु गेल्या गणेशोत्सवाच्या काळात तो देण्यात आला नाही. त्यामुळे या योजना सुरु आहे की नाही… https://t.co/gRAzBGTTcs
— Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) October 6, 2025
Meanwhile, speaking to reporters in Maharashtra`s Pune, Sule said that she has been voicing concerns over Maharashtra`s fiscal health for the past 18 months, and the recent developments only reinforce her concerns.
She said that the Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched with much fanfare last year, has already seen 25 lakh beneficiaries removed in the first phase. Regarding `Anandacha Shidha`, she referenced State Minister Chhagan Bhujbal, who recently said the Finance Department had not cleared the scheme, according to the PTI.
Referring to the recent announcement of a possible farm loan waiver, Sule questioned how such a scheme could be offered when the state has yet to submit a damage report to the Centre regarding losses due to heavy rains.
“Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre is ready to help if the state sends a report. Why hasn’t that been done yet?” she asked, reported the PTI.
Sule also pointed to reports from the World Bank, noting that India is now the world’s largest loan-taking country. She criticised both state and central fiscal management, questioning why the rupee continues to weaken despite good GST collections.
Highlighting contradictions in the government`s priorities, she criticised the decision to push ahead with the Shaktipeeth Expressway project, which is estimated to cost Rs 80,000 crore, while simultaneously halting basic welfare schemes.
“The state apparently has Rs 80,000 crore to build an expressway, but not enough to provide food for the poor during Diwali,” she remarked, the news agency reported.
(with PTI inputs)
