Temperatures dip after thunderstorm in Punjab, Haryana
Chandigarh, May 14: As a thunderstorm hit areas in Punjab and Haryana overnight, the maximum temperatures in the northern region dipped on Monday, giving relief to people from the hot weather.
Maximum temperatures hovered between 32 and 39 degrees Celsius at most places in both states.
Chandigarh and its surrounding areas and some parts of Haryana and Punjab were hit by a thunderstorm on Sunday evening, followed by light rain.
The maximum temperature in Chandigarh on Monday was 32.8 degrees.
Hisar in Haryana recorded a high of 39.4 degrees while Bhiwani had 38.7 degrees.
Amritsar in Punjab recorded 35.4 degrees, while Patiala and Ludhiana recorded 33.1 and 34.8 degrees respectively.
Heat wave conditions prevailed in most parts of Haryana and Punjab on Saturday, with the mercury shooting up to 45 degrees in Hisar.
The day temperatures at most places in both states were in the 40-45 degrees Celsius range.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Maharashtra government considers tweaks to Ladki Bahin scheme amid fiscal strain: Reports
Mumbai: A day after the Mahayuti coalition secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, attention has turned to the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship welfare scheme that played a pivotal role in attracting women voters.
The scheme, launched in July 2024, offers ₹1,500 per month to economically disadvantaged women aged 18 to 65. The Mahayuti, in its election manifesto, pledged to increase the amount to ₹2,100 per month, a promise now under scrutiny due to fiscal concerns. With the scheme projected to cost the exchequer ₹33,300 crore from July 2024 to March 2025, bureaucrats are exploring ways to revise its provisions to prevent a financial imbalance.
Finance Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar hinted at the challenges, stressing the need for "financial discipline." A senior bureaucrat confirmed that plans are underway to prune the list of beneficiaries, citing the inclusion of ineligible individuals due to incomplete Aadhaar seeding and lack of required ration cards. According to the finance department, nearly one crore women out of the 2.43 crore registered beneficiaries may not qualify for the scheme.
The state’s debt burden is already projected to reach ₹7.82 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Officials warn that continuing the scheme in its current form could impact the government’s ability to pay salaries by January. Despite these concerns, the ruling coalition is hesitant to reduce the beneficiary list, likely due to the upcoming civic elections.
Chief Secretary Sujata Saunik is expected to present renegotiation proposals to the new chief minister soon. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde credited the scheme for increasing the number of women voters and boosting the coalition’s vote share. NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar also acknowledged the scheme’s role in mobilising women voters.
Other welfare measures introduced by the government include an electricity bill waiver for farmers and three free LPG cylinders annually for six million households. However, the financial viability of such initiatives remains a pressing concern.
