The Maharashtra Government is considering the closure of two major schemes, Shiva food plate and Anandacha Shidha, trying to reduce the state’s financial problems. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the officials to review both the schemes, which is expected to be decided during the upcoming budget session in March.
Shiva food plate scheme: A subsidy food program
The purpose of the Shiva food plate scheme launched by the Maharashtra government in 2020 is to provide affordable food to the poor and the needy. Under this scheme, two chapattis, vegetables, rice and entire food plate are given at a subsidy rate of ₹ 10.
Shiva food plate is being served in 1,699 eateries across the state, with 1,88,463 approved plates. About 1,80,000 plates are distributed every day. A target has been set to serve 2 lakh plates every day.
The annual expenditure of 2 lakh daily plates of Shiva food is around Rs 267 crore, about which former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal argues that this cost is negligible in view of the benefits of the poor and the needy.
Anandacha Shidha Yojana: A Festival Kit Distribution Program
Anandacha Shidha Scheme is a festival kit distribution program launched by the state government. The purpose of this scheme is to provide essential things to eligible beneficiaries during festivals like Diwali, Gudi Padwa and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti. The beneficiaries get a kit with 6 items, including 1 kg of sugar, 1 liter of oil, 500 grams of rava, 500 grams of gram dal, 500 grams of maida and 500 grams of poha.
These kits are distributed at a discounted rate of ₹ 100 per kit. The annual cost of Anandacha Shidha Yojana is around ₹ 161 crore (2022), ₹ 159 crore (2023) and ₹ 160 crore (2024).
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Protest in plan cut
Former Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal and NCP leader Jitendra Awhad have opposed the possible cuts. He argued that these schemes provide necessary help to the poor and the underprivileged. Chhagan Bhujbal has written a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis demanding that the Shiva Meal Thali scheme launched for the poor and needy citizens of the state be continued in future as before.
At the same time, Jitendra Awhad has also criticized the government for spending crores on advertisements of other schemes, considering cuts in these necessary programs.