PANJIM: Even as the ruling and opposition parties have demanded a review of the Laadli Laxmi scheme, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar on Friday ruled out such a possibility, stating that the decision on how to utilise the money depends on the beneficiary.
“Just because a few are misusing the scheme does not mean we have to review it. At the end of the day, the decision on how to spend the Rs 1 lakh lies with the girl beneficiary,” Parsekar told media persons. Last month Vanita Gaonkar of Malkarne committed suicide following dowry harassment allegedly meted out by her in-laws who were allegedly demanding the money from her. Vanita’s father-in-law has been arrested in the case.
“We don’t give money just for marriage. Any girl who attains 18 years is eligible to avail the benefit under the scheme. The amount could be used for education, for profession or marriage,” the chief minister said.
“No one can harass the girl for the money. Government is providing the benefit to the girl and it is her money and she has right to decide how to utilize the same,” the chief minister reiterated.
