Mumbai: After the massive success of Mazi Ladki Bahin, which turned out as a game changer during the state assembly elections last year, deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde has announced Upa-Mukhyamantri Nirogi Mahila Abhiyan to promote women’s health.
Shinde announced Rs 5 Crore from the Urban Development Department (UDD) headed by him. Screening of 5 lakh women will be made to help early detection and prevention of diseases such as cervical and breast cancer through large-scale screening, it was announced.
The three-month-long campaign can be viewed in the context of the upcoming program for the municipal and local bodies. Shinde has always claimed credit for the ladki bahin scheme, which paid rich dividends during the assembly elections.
We must keep sisters healthy, Shinde announced while speaking during the inauguration. It was announced that the initiative will be implemented jointly by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), Rotary Club and the Aditya Birla Capital Foundation.
Significantly, the campaign is being rolled out in the name of the deputy chief minister when other campaigns are in the name of the CM, which makes it clear that Shinde wants to coin this with his name.
"I have launched this campaign for my ladki bahins for free medical check-ups," said the Dy CM.
In normal conditions, such ambitious schemes needed to be approved by the state cabinet along with the financial provision. Now, the eyes will be on the Finance Department, whose approval will be needed to transfer Rs 5 Crore as announced by Shinde to the TMC. It is not clear whether other civic bodies will get funds to undertake a similar campaign.
