No scheme getting affected due to Ladki Bahin programme: Bawankule

Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on February 16, 2025, that separate provisions have been made for each welfare scheme and none has been affected by the flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule said on Sunday (February 16, 2025) that separate provisions have been made for each welfare scheme and none has been affected by the flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

Under the Ladki Bahin scheme, women in the 21-65 age group with an annual family income of less than ₹2.5 lakh get ₹1,500 per month as aid. The scheme is widely credited to have contributed to the BJP-led Mahayuti’s big win in the State Assembly polls in November 2024.

Responding to a query that there are allegations that other initiatives are hit due to the Ladki Bahin programme, which is likely to cost the State around ₹46,000 crore annually, Mr. Bawankule said fund allocation has been made for every scheme under a separate head.

“Our government has allocated a separate budget for every scheme. Ladki Bahin has a separate budget. Likewise, schemes for farm crop insurance have a separate budget. Some people are creating confusion about the Ladki Bahin Yojana,” said the State BJP president.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has already clarified that there will not be any sort of recovery, said Mr. Bawankule. The CM has also made it clear that the Shiv Bhojan scheme (to provide food at discounted rates to the poor) will not be stopped, he said.

The minister said some people, who do not require financial assistance, have taken undue advantage of the Ladki Bahin scheme despite not being eligible.

Also read | Ladki Bahin scheme: cross-verification of beneficiaries underway: Maharashtra Minister Aditi Tatkare