Overview
- Forest Minister Ganesh Naik told the Legislative Council that the Ladki Bahin Yojana will continue even though it is creating conditions that he said amount to injustice for other departments.
- He proposed exploring a Rs 6,000 crore bank loan secured against Forest Development Corporation of Maharashtra teak plantations valued at about Rs 12,000 crore.
- Naik said interest on the loan could be serviced from timber generated through thinning operations in the plantations.
- The minister outlined uses for the funds including infrastructure upgrades, converting forest staff wages to basic pay and dearness allowance, improving offices and rest houses, building forest roads, promoting tourism, and relocating settlements to reduce human–wildlife conflict.
- He made the remarks during Question Hour in response to Congress MLC Satej Patil, while reiterating leadership assurances from the chief minister and deputy chief minister that the scheme will not be rolled back.