Scheme Benefits Over 2.38 Crore Women Since Launch
In a significant move to empower women economically, the Maharashtra government has successfully transferred ₹17,505.90 crore to the bank accounts of 2.38 crore women beneficiaries under its flagship scheme, the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, within just five months since its launch in August 2024. This information was revealed in the pre-Budget Economic Survey presented in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday.
Empowering Women Through Direct Financial Assistance
Launched under the previous Eknath Shinde-led government, the Ladki Bahin Yojana provides financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). The primary objective of the scheme is to promote employment, foster economic development, and ensure economic and social rehabilitation of women aged between 21 and 65 years, ultimately enhancing their self-reliance.
Additionally, the initiative seeks to boost women's empowerment, improve their health conditions, and enhance the nutritional status of women and their dependent children.
Scheme’s Influence on Assembly Elections
The Ladki Bahin Yojana has emerged as a significant political factor, credited as a pivotal reason behind the decisive victory of the Mahayuti alliance, comprising BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, in the November 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections. The alliance secured 230 out of 288 seats in the assembly. During the election campaign, Mahayuti leaders pledged to raise the scheme’s monthly financial assistance from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100.
However, the opposition has raised concerns over the scheme's sustainability, citing the state's fiscal deficit, which currently stands at ₹2 lakh crore.
Women-Led Self-Help Groups Continue to Thrive
The Economic Survey also highlighted the growth of women-led Self-Help Groups (SHGs) across Maharashtra. As of March 2024, the state has 16,30,589 SHGs linked to cooperative banks, regional rural banks, and commercial banks, with 85% (13,80,838 SHGs) being exclusively women-led.
From April to December 2024, women SHGs received loans amounting to ₹10,475.48 crore from financial institutions. Internal loan disbursements within SHGs stood at ₹3,779 crore, while cumulative savings reached ₹1,404 crore.
Rise in Reported Crimes Against Women
The Economic Survey also shed light on the issue of women’s safety, noting that the Maharashtra State Commission for Women continues to receive complaints related to marital disputes, social issues, rape, property disputes, workplace harassment, and sexual harassment.
In 2023, the state recorded 77 crimes against women per lakh female population, a slight increase from 75 per lakh female population reported in 2022.
The Maharashtra government remains committed to enhancing women's security and socio-economic empowerment through schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana and support to self-help groups.
