While speaking at a rally in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, Maharashtra deputy CM announced that the monthly assistance would be raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 at an appropriate time
Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde. File Pic
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday said that the state was planning to raise monthly aid under the Ladki Bahin scheme from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, reported the PTI.
He said that despite observations by the CAG on the Ladki Bahin scheme, the government will continue providing monthly financial aid to women, ahead of the Zilla Parishad Elections 2026.
According to the PTI, while speaking at a rally while campaigning for Zilla Parishad Elections 2026 in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, he also announced that the monthly assistance would be raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 at an appropriate time.
"An amount of Rs 45,000 crore is disbursed through the Ladki Bahin scheme. Earlier, I saw reports about the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) censuring this scheme. However, the scheme will continue as it has been helping women immensely. It has spawned several stories of women entrepreneurship," he said.
"If we conduct a survey, we will realise that women beneficiaries have started small businesses using the monthly aid. They are using the stipend to manage their lives efficiently," he added, reported PTI.
"Initiating such welfare measures is the duty of the government towards the people. This scheme will never be discontinued, whatever the rumours," Shinde said.
About Ladki Bahin scheme
The "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin" scheme was launched in June 2024 when Shinde was Chief Minister. Under this flagship initiative, eligible women aged 21 to 65 receive a financial benefit of Rs 1,500 per month via DBT.
The scheme is believed to have played a crucial role in the victory of the BJP and Shiv Sena in the 2024 assembly elections.
Shinde, meanwhile, accused the Opposition of doing nothing for people affected by floods and rains earlier last year.
"They didn't even distribute small packets of biscuits and are questioning us why we are giving Rs 1,500 to women beneficiaries. The state government will increase the amount under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme to Rs 2,100 at the right time," he said, reported PTI.
Shinde also assured that the loan waiver promise will be honoured by the Mahayuti government soon.
Ladki Bahin scheme funds to be disbursed only after e-KYC verification
Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, earlier in January, emphasised that e-KYC remains mandatory to ensure transparency and to confirm that the financial assistance reaches only eligible beneficiaries.
Minister Tatkare clarified that specific groups, including widows, divorcees, and women whose husbands or fathers have passed away, must not only complete the online e-KYC but also submit the relevant supporting documents to their respective District Women and Child Development Officers to ensure uninterrupted benefits.
Speaking to the media, Tatkare stated, "This scheme is a revolution for women's empowerment. Following instructions from the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Ministers, we have extended the date so that no eligible sister is deprived of the benefits due to natural calamities or technical difficulties."
The Minister urged all remaining beneficiaries to visit the official website (ladakibahin.maharashtra.gov.in) and complete their Aadhaar-linked e-KYC as soon as possible to avoid any delays in future instalments of the Ladki Bahin Yojana.
(With PTI inputs)
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