Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticized the Maharashtra government on Sunday, accusing Ladki Bahin Yojana of effectively shutting down. He said the ruling Mahayoti coalition failed to deliver on its election promises and deceived the public. Ladki Bahin Yojana's early commitments included a spending of Rs 2,100, women are now receiving only Rs 500, Lauter said.
“Ladki Bahin has been closed. Earlier, you said you would give Rs 1,500 and now only give Rs 500. During the election, there was a topic about giving Rs 2,100. Ajit Pawar (Agent CM) denied making any such commitment.
Prior to last year's Vidhan Sabha election, the rule of the ruling, Mahayuti Alliance, announced in its manifesto that it would increase financial support for eligible women from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 under the Ladki Bahin plan. The plan is considered a key factor in bringing the Mahayoti League to power by a tragic defeat.
Ladki Bahin is scheduled to be launched in June 2024 to provide Rs 1,500 for qualified women in Maharashtra through Direct Welfare Transfer (DBT). Currently, a total of 2.53 billion women benefited from the program. After the election, the government reduced monthly assistance to 800,000 women who had received Rs 1,000, who received Rs 1,000 under Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi (NSMN).
On March 10, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar proposed the state budget in the state legislature. He announced a total allocation of Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahini Yojana in fiscal year 2025-26 to Rs 360,000 crore. The allocation marks a significant reduction in the previously estimated amount of Rs 4.6 crore.
The state government released an economic survey pointed out that the Maharashtra government spent Rs 17,506 crore on populist plans until December 2024. The state government spends Rs 37 billion per month on cash benefit schemes.
