Maharashtra cuts financial assistance to ₹500 for nearly 800,000 women under the Ladki Bahin Scheme.

Maharashtra’s flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, a significant welfare initiative, has once again become the focus of political turmoil. The state government has lowered the number of active beneficiaries by 17 lakh and decreased monthly financial support for an additional 7.7 lakh women.

Government data indicates that these 7.7 lakh women previously received ₹1,500 per month under the scheme, but are now limited to ₹500. The state has clarified that this modification is due to these beneficiaries now receiving ₹1,000 per month from the Namo Shetkari Mahasamman Nidhi, with the Ladki Bahin scheme capping the total monthly benefit at ₹1,500.

Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare stated that in accordance with policy, the remaining ₹500 is being provided to 7,74,148 women who receive ₹1,000 per month via the Namo Shetkari Samman Yojana.
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“No eligible woman has been excluded from the Ladki Bahin scheme, and no changes have occurred in the aforementioned process after July 3, 2024,” remarked a leader from the Nationalist Congress Party, further stating that she had clarified this during the budget session of the state legislature.

The examination of the beneficiary list commenced shortly after the new government took office. In December 2024, the government revealed that all beneficiaries would undergo re-evaluation, and any deemed ineligible would be removed from the scheme. Disqualification criteria include ownership of a four-wheeler or a family income exceeding ₹2.5 lakh annually.

Prior to this re-evaluation, the scheme boasted 2.63 crore beneficiaries. However, for February and March 2025, benefits were issued to only 2.46 crore women, resulting in a loss of 17 lakh recipients.

This decision has drawn criticism from the Opposition, which claims that the BJP-led Mahayuti government exploited the scheme to garner votes before the elections and is now retracting benefits. The Opposition has labeled this action a betrayal of women voters, accusing the government of employing vote-buying tactics followed by post-election rollbacks.

“On the eve of the elections, the Mahayuti coalition assured farmers of a loan waiver, yet after assuming office, it demanded loan repayments. Women are being removed from the Ladki Bahin beneficiaries list under various pretexts. The corrupt Mahayuti government is breaking the trust of the people,” stated State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal.