On September 29, the state government has planned an event in Mangaon Taluka to release the third instalment of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. (Image: PTI File)
This scheme is considered the flagship initiative of the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, as the united opposition in the state, the ‘Mahavikas Aghadi,’ has yet to come up with an effective countermeasure.
The ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme, initiated by the Mahayuti government in its last Interim Budget presented after the Lok Sabha elections 2024, is being viewed as a potential vote-winner for the alliance, which is keen to regain power in the state. This came after their disappointing performance in the recent Lok Sabha elections.
After successfully transferring the first two instalments of Rs 1,500 each to eligible women in the state, the government is now preparing to release the third and most crucial instalment just ahead of the state assembly elections. By September 29, the amount of Rs 1,500 will be credited to the bank accounts of beneficiary women.
This scheme is considered the flagship initiative of the current government, as the united opposition in the state, the ‘Mahavikas Aghadi,’ has yet to come up with an effective countermeasure. In fact, several leaders from the MVA have indicated that they would continue the scheme if elected, possibly even increasing the financial aid provided.
On September 29, the state government has planned an event in Mangaon Taluka, located in Raigad district. According to information provided by the Women and Child Development Department, the event will be attended by more than 1,000 beneficiaries from Raigad and neighbouring districts. The event will showcase the transformative impact of the scheme, focusing on its role in improving the economic stability of women, particularly in rural areas. At the event, success stories of beneficiaries will be highlighted to illustrate how the scheme has empowered women to achieve financial independence and contributed to their communities.
In a conversation with News18, Aditi Tatkare, the Minister for Women and Child Development in Maharashtra, stated, “This third instalment is expected to boost the morale of our beneficiaries. Since its launch, the Chief Minister’s ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ has reached thousands of women across Maharashtra, providing crucial financial support for entrepreneurial and educational endeavors. The upcoming instalment aims to further strengthen them and uplift the lives of beneficiaries who have used previous funds to start small businesses or pursue education.”
The event in Mangaon will not only celebrate the achievements of women beneficiaries but also recognise their resilience in improving their socio-economic status. The third instalment of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana on September 29 marks another milestone in fostering a more inclusive and empowered society.
More than 1 crore women have applied for the scheme so far. The first two instalments were disbursed together during the Rakshabandhan festival in August, and the third instalment will be credited to beneficiaries’ linked bank accounts by the end of September.
Enrollment for the scheme was initially set to close on July 31.
The Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched by the Eknath Shinde-led government, is aimed at supporting married, divorced, and destitute women aged 21-65. Announced in the state budget at the end of June, the scheme is projected to cost Rs 46,000 crore annually. Women with a family income of up to Rs 2.5 lakh per year are eligible for the scheme.
