2 weeks Ago
Maharashtra's flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, a key welfare scheme has once again found itself at the centre of political controversy. The state government has reduced the number of active beneficiaries by 17 lakh, and cut monthly financial benefits for another 7.7 lakh women.
According to the government data, these 7.7 lakh women were earlier receiving ₹ 1,500 per month under the scheme, but are now receiving only ₹ 500. The state clarified that this adjustment is because these beneficiaries are receiving ₹ 1,000 per month under the Namo Shetkari Mahasamman Nidhi, and the Ladki Bahin scheme allows for a maximum combined monthly benefit of ₹ 1,500.
Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare said in line with the policy, the difference of ₹ 500 is being paid to 7,74,148 women who are receiving ₹ 1,000 per month under the Namo Shetkari Samman Yojana. Also read | No mention of ₹2,100 Ladki Bahin payout in Maharashtra Budget, Mahayuti promises gradual hike "No eligible woman has been excluded from the Ladki Bahin scheme, and no change has been made in the said process after July 3, 2024," said the Nationalist Congress Party leader, adding that she has clarified about the same during the budget session of the state legislature. The process of scrutinising the list of beneficiaries began soon after the formation of the new government.
In December 2024, the government had announced that all beneficiaries would be re-evaluated and anyone found ineligible would be removed from the scheme. Disqualification criteria include owning a four-wheeler or having a family income exceeding ₹ 2.5 lakh per annum.
Before this re-evaluation, the scheme had 2.63 crore beneficiaries. However, for the months of February and March 2025, benefits were transferred to only 2.
46 crore women, a drop of 17 lakh recipients. The move has sparked criticism from the Opposition, which alleges that the BJP-led Mahayuti government used the scheme to secure votes before the elections and is now withdrawing benefits. The Opposition claimed the move is a betrayal of women voters, accusing the government of vote-buying tactics followed by post-election rollbacks.
"On the eve of the elections, the Mahayuti coalition promised a farm loan waiver, and after forming a government, it asked farmers to repay their loans. Women are being removed from the list of beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme citing various reasons. The corrupt Mahayuti government is betraying the trust of the people," said State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal.
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