Mukhyamantri- Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana Maharashtra (2024)

Policy Update
Sana Ansari

The “Mukhyamantri – Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana” scheme was launched by the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Maharashtra. The scheme aims to give economic freedom to women in the state age group of 21 to 65 years, improving their health and nutrition and strengthening their decisive role in the family. The women will get a financial benefit of ₹1,500/- through direct benefit transfer (DBT) 

Background

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched by the Government of Maharashtra in June 2024, is designed to empower women from economically weaker sections of society. The scheme aims to provide financial independence and improve the socio-economic status of women.

The flagship scheme modelled after the ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’ introduced by the previous Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led government in Madhya Pradesh, was included in the supplementary budget presented by Deputy CM and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar and is expected to cost the State exchequer ₹46,000 crore annually. Under the scheme, underprivileged (annual family income capped at ₹2.5 lakh) women aged 21 to 65 years will get monthly financial assistance from the government.

Eligibility:

  • Women aged 21-65 from families with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh.
  • Applicants must be permanent residents of Maharashtra.
  • The scheme excludes families with government employees or income tax payers.

Key Features/ Functioning

  1. Financial Assistance: Women who meet the eligibility criteria receive a monthly stipend of ₹1,500. This is aimed at improving their financial stability and helping them contribute to their family’s income.
  2. Health and Nutrition: Beneficiaries gain access to healthcare services, ensuring better overall well-being. Nutritional support is also a part of the scheme.
  3. Educational Support: Girls from marginalised communities receive fee waivers for higher education, encouraging educational advancement.
  4. Additional Benefits: The scheme provides three free LPG cylinders annually, helping reduce household expenses. Women also have access to skill development programs, which equip them with employment-ready skills or entrepreneurial abilities.

Application Process

Women can apply for the scheme either online or offline via local Zilla Parishad offices or Anganwadi centers. An online portal facilitates the application process, requiring basic documents such as Aadhaar and bank account details.

The broader objective of the scheme is to promote women’s financial independence, contribute to economic growth by integrating women into the workforce, and shift societal perceptions of women’s roles in economic and decision-making processes. Through this initiative, Maharashtra aims to empower over a crore women and create long-lasting social and economic changes in the state.

Performance

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has been a transformative initiative for millions of women in Maharashtra. With a monthly stipend of ₹1,500, many beneficiaries have been able to allocate this support towards essential needs such as personal assistance, children’s education, and household necessities. Since the scheme’s launch, three instalments for July, August, and September have already been disbursed, providing crucial financial relief.

In a festive boost, the Maharashtra government has announced the Ladki Bahin Yojna Diwali Bonus 2024, offering a Diwali bonus payment to eligible women. Under this initiative, ₹3,000—representing the fourth and fifth instalments—will be directly credited to the bank accounts of over 94,000 beneficiaries. This bonus aims to ease financial pressure and empower women to make necessary purchases during the festive season. However, some women whose applications were rejected have expressed disappointment, highlighting an area of concern for the scheme’s reach and inclusivity.

Overall, the Ladki Bahin Yojana has been widely praised for its positive impact, significantly improving the financial stability of many women across the state and helping them better meet their family and personal needs.

Impact

Socio- Economic– The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has transformed the lives of numerous women in Maharashtra, especially those belonging to low-income households. Even though ₹1,500 might not appear significant to middle- or upper-class households, it has been a vital means of empowerment for these women. This monetary assistance helps them to cover everyday necessities, provide for their children’s schooling, and contribute to household costs. The plan not just provides financial assistance but also boosts their feeling of independence and respect, representing a major move towards the empowerment of women in the region.

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has brought about a notable socio-economic change in Maharashtra by improving the lives of disadvantaged women. Anita Sahu, a homemaker from Kalyan, utilised the ₹7,500 she has received starting from August to cover her son’s tuition fees and set aside money for unexpected situations. In the same way, Manisha, a previous sex worker from Kamathipura, utilised the allowance to cover her rent and obtain her son’s driver’s licence. (Times of India Report). As of October, more than 23 million women throughout the state had received a total of ₹7,500 in various payments under the program.

Political– The program is a crucial strategy for building political support, especially among female voters, akin to the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, which boosted voter participation and contributed to the ruling party’s electoral triumph. The government in Maharashtra is concentrating on women’s well-being by providing financial assistance, which could increase voter allegiance and bolster political stability, especially because the program appeals to a significant portion of the population. 

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is expected to have a notable political influence in Maharashtra, particularly with the upcoming state elections on the horizon. Modelled after Ladli Behna scheme in Madhya Pradesh, which aided BJP in staying in power, this project is anticipated to have an annual cost of ₹46,000 crore and is seen as a pivotal move by the ruling Mahayuti government. Due to the increasing number of women voters in the state (4.67 crore), the initiative could play a crucial role in tight elections, notably in constituencies with small differences in votes, hence bridging the divide among political parties. 

Cultural– Elevating women’s social status through schemes like these means they are seen as important financial contributors to their households within communities. This change may help decrease societal biases related to women’s economic positions, promoting more modern perspectives on gender.

Community Development: When women gain financial empowerment, they are likely to increase their involvement in local governance and civic participation, resulting in the development of more gender-sensitive policies within the community.

Emerging issue

The state’s treasury is heavily burdened due to the annual allocation of Rs 46,000 crore for this scheme. If the income does not equal the spending, the state may experience a budget shortfall, which can hinder the ability to finance vital services such as education, healthcare, and infrastructure. Concerns about delayed salaries have been voiced by opposition leaders like Raj Thackeray and Sanjay Raut fear that the government might not have sufficient funds to cover government employees’ salaries, potentially leading to unhappiness among the workforce and affecting government services.

More debt: With the state already weighed down by debt, implementing expensive schemes without sufficient revenue could add to the debt burden, creating even greater challenges for future financial management. This may result in increased borrowing, leading to higher interest payments.

Although the programs may bring instant advantages to recipients and offer a political advantage to the government, the lasting financial burden could lead to budget challenges, late salary payments, reductions in vital services, and higher state debt. If not handled with caution, these plans may result in economic instability down the line.

Temporary Solutions: The Ladki Bahin Yojana offers essential temporary financial help to women, but there are worries about its temporary nature. Instead of tackling broader systemic problems like inflation, unemployment, and increasing living expenses, the program could encourage dependence on government assistance. Despite benefiting from the instalments, women like Swati Nikude from Nagpur are still experiencing rising daily expenses. There is a belief that it is better to prioritise long-term economic stability, manage inflation, and generate job opportunities instead of providing short-term financial aid. 

Way forward 

In order to improve the impact of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, it should be combined with efforts that tackle underlying issues such as inflation and unemployment. This may include offering job placement services and skill development training to empower recipients financially. Furthermore, consistent evaluations of the program’s effects on women’s economic self-sufficiency can help it adjust to changing requirements. Working together with local businesses and community organisations can also aid in establishing sustainable livelihoods, which in turn lessens reliance on government assistance and promotes lasting socio-economic development. 

References 

About the Contributor– Sana Ansari, Researcher at IMPRI, pursuing Masters in Public Policy at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai. 

Acknowledgment– I would like to thank Dr. Arjun Kumar ji, and IMPRI for this opportunity. Special acknowledgment to Mr. Dhruv and Ms. Deepa for reviewing. 

Read more at IMPRI:

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