Maharashtra Budget 2025: Ladki Bahin Yojana Receives Rs 36,000 Crore Allocation
However, the government did not mention an increase in the monthly allowance from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, a promise made by the ruling Mahayuti coalition before the 2024 assembly elections.
The Maharashtra government on Monday allocated Rs 36,000 crore for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana as part of its Rs 7 lakh crore budget for the fiscal year 2025-26.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar—who holds the state government's finance portfolio—announced that financial benefits under the scheme have been provided to approximately 2.53 crore women since July 2024, with Rs 33,232 crore already spent while presenting the state budget.
However, the government did not mention an increase in the monthly allowance from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100, a promise made by the ruling Mahayuti coalition before the 2024 assembly elections. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis later clarified that the hike would be implemented once the fiscal balance improves but not from April.
The government has projected a fiscal deficit of Rs 1,36,234 crore for 2025-26.
The scheme, which is supposed to have played a role in the BJP-led coalition's victory in the November 2024 assembly elections, provides monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 to women aged 21 to 65 who are married, divorced, widowed, deserted, or destitute, and whose family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh per year.
As per official data released on Feb. 20, married women make up 83% of the scheme's beneficiaries. The highest 29% of beneficiaries fall in the 30-39 age group, followed by 25.5% in the 21-29 age group and 23.6% in the 40-49 age group.
After taking office, the Mahayuti government launched a review to remove ineligible recipients. So far, 5 lakh beneficiaries have been excluded, and officials estimate that the number could rise to 15 lakh.
