Women to get 50 per cent fare concession from June 1 on buses run by Vasai-Virar civic body

"Some other civic transport services have already been offering concessions in ticket fares to women. In line with the state government's policy of a 50 per cent concession to women on buses, we have decided to offer tickets at half the rates to women from June 1," said VVMC Commissioner Anil Kumar Pawar, according to the PTI.

Vasai MLA Sneha Dubey-Pandit said she had earlier met officials and ministers and taken up the issue of fare relief to women on VVMC buses, as per the PTI.

No funds diverted from other departments for Ladki Bahin, read budget rules: Fadnavis

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday clarified no funds have been diverted from other departments for the government's flagship scheme for women Ladki Bahin and said those who do not understand budget are making unsubstantiated claims, reported the PTI.

Money disbursed for the scheme, which under eligible poor women get a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500, through Tribal Affairs and Social Justice Departments was as per budgetary norms, he insisted.

Talking to reporters, CM Fadnavis explained budgetary rules stipulate funds should be reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). Maximum funds should be earmarked for personal benefit schemes and some kept aside for infrastructure development.

"The charges (by opposition that funds were diverted from other departments for Ladki Bahin Yojana) are wrong. Only those who don't understand the budget can make such a charge. Rules say funds should be reserved for SCs/STs. Maximum funds should be reserved for personal benefit schemes and some for infrastructure development.

"Ladki Bahin Yojana falls under the category of giving personal benefit to beneficiaries. So, if you give money to this scheme, then as per budgetary rules, it has to be shown under the Tribal Affairs Department and the Social Justice Department," the CM stated, according to the PTI.

He emphasised Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who holds the finance portfolio, has already clarified in this matter.

CM Fadnavis noted the budget of Tribal Affairs and Social Justice departments has been hiked nearly 1.45 times in 2025-26.

"This (Ladki Bahin funds disbursed through other departments) is a type of accounting. No money has been diverted. There is no wrongdoing in this," the CM asserted, as per the PTI.

The state Women and Child Development Department runs the scheme, which is credited with playing a key role in the BJP-led Mahayuti's massive assembly election win in November last year.

Under the yojana, women in the 21-65 years age group with an annual family income of less that Rs 2.5 lakh are eligible for the monthly stipend.

(with PTI inputs)