Don’t charge extra for Majhi Ladki Bahin, other schemes: Dy Collector Darade to ASSK operators
Bhimraj Darade, Deputy Collector (Administration), as the Member Secretary of District E-Governance (Setu) Society looks after all the e-governance projects in the Nashik district. (Pic: The Voice of Malegaon)
Deputy Collector (Administration) Bhimraj Darade today held a meeting with all the Aaple Sarkar Seva Kendra (ASSK) operators via a video conference and asked them to stick to the norms for accepting fees prescribed by the state government from time to time for issuing various certificates. In the aftermath of the announcement of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna in the Budget, there has been an unprecedented rush of citizens at Setu and ASSK outlets across all the Tahsil headquarters in Maharashtra.
The citizens are thronging these points to get domicile and income certificates, two key documents crucial for getting benefits under the scheme for women. Besides, women in large numbers are also rushing to Public Sector Banks to open a bank account. Dy Collector Darade also asked the ASSK operators not to cash in on this difficult situation and warned them of strict action if they were caught charging extra money from the visiting citizens. In the Additional Budget 2024, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar declared the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna for eligible women in the 21 – 60 years age bracket. Under the scheme, every eligible woman will be given Rs 1,500 financial assistance every month through Direct Benefit Transfer.
However, the government has made sweeping changes in the scheme since its launch and keeping in mind the hardships of the common man has done away with certain strict requirements. For instance, furnishing a domicile and income certificate was earlier mandatory but now after making the pro-people changes, for the resident status, the government has given an option of furnishing birth certificate, voters’ ID card, school leaving certificate and a ration card not less than 15 years old. The age limit has now been increased to 65 years.
Similarly, if the applicant does not have an income certificate then she can apply by furnishing a yellow or a kesri ration card. However, it is not clear whether the details of the ration card must have been uploaded by the FDO online or not. Earlier in the day, Dy Collector Darade held a meeting via a video conference with all the Sub-Divisional Officers and Tahsildars and conveyed to them the state government’s clear instructions over pendency of domicile and income certificates. There are nine SDO and fifteen Tahsil offices in the Nashik district.
