Raut Claims State Government Effectively Shut Down Ladki Bahin Scheme
The Economic Survey released by the state government has stated that the Maharashtra government spent Rs 17,506 crore on the populist scheme till December 2024
Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday criticised the Maharashtra government, alleging that the Ladki Bahin Yojana has effectively been shut down. The ruling Mahayuti coalition has failed to deliver on its election promises and cheated the public, he said. Raut said that while earlier promises of Ladki Bahin Yojana included a payout of Rs 2,100, women are now getting only Rs 500.
“Ladki Bahin has been closed down. Earlier, you said you would give Rs 1,500, now only Rs 500 is being given. During elections, there was talk of giving Rs 2,100. Ajit Pawar (Deputy CM) denied making any such promise. But he is the deputy CM in the government that made the promise of increasing money to Rs 2,100,” Raut said.
Ahead of the Vidhan Sabha elections last year, the ruling Mahayuti alliance had announced in its manifesto that it would increase the financial support given to eligible women under the Ladki Bahin scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. The scheme was considered a critical factor in bringing the Mahayuti alliance to power with a thumping majority.
Launched in June 2024, the Ladki Bahin scheme provides eligible women in Maharashtra with Rs 1,500 per month through direct benefit transfer (DBT). In total, 2.53 crore women are currently benefiting from the initiative. After the election, government reduced monthly assistance for eight lakh women who already received Rs 1,000 under the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi (NSMN).
On March 10, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar presented the state budget in the State Legislature. He announced a total allocation of Rs 36,000 crore for the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahini Yojana for the fiscal year 2025-26. The allocation marks a substantial reduction from the previously projected amount of Rs 46,000 crore.
The Economic Survey released by the state government has stated that the Maharashtra government spent Rs 17,506 crore on the populist scheme till December 2024. The state government spends Rs 3,700 crore a month on the cash benefit scheme.