Maharashtra Govt Cuts Stipend for 8 Lakh Ladki Bahin Yojana Beneficiaries Amid Scrutiny

Maharashtra government has reduced the monthly stipend for 8 lakh women beneficiaries under its flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. The reduction comes after it was found that these women were also receiving financial assistance under the Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi (NSMN) scheme.

This move is aimed at streamlining welfare distribution and improving the state’s overall fiscal health.

Why Was the Stipend Under Ladki Bahin Yojana Reduced?

Under the Ladki Bahin scheme, women are entitled to a monthly payout of ₹1,500. However, this amount is capped if the beneficiary is receiving financial aid from another government scheme. In this case, the 8 lakh women already receive ₹1,000 under the NSMN, so their Ladki Bahin stipend has been reduced to ₹500.

The scheme’s rules clearly state that beneficiaries may receive aid from multiple schemes only if the combined benefit does not exceed ₹1,500 per month.

Ongoing Scrutiny and Eligibility Checks

The reduction is part of a larger effort by the state government to scrutinise the eligibility of applicants and ensure that only those meeting the required criteria receive benefits.

The government began with around 2.63 crore applicants in October. After multiple rounds of verification, the number dropped to 2.52 crore in February, and eventually 2.46 crore beneficiaries received the stipend in February and March.

Eligibility Criteria of Ladki Bahin Yojana

Beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme must:

• Be aged between 18 and 65 years

• Be domiciled in Maharashtra

• Have a family income less than ₹2.5 lakh annually

• Not own a four-wheeler

• Not have a family member in a government job

Budgetary Constraints and Future Outlook

With a projected state debt of ₹9.3 lakh crore for 2025-26, the government is under pressure to balance welfare with fiscal responsibility. As a result, the Ladki Bahin scheme’s outlay was reduced from ₹46,000 crore to ₹36,000 crore in the 2025-26 budget.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra government’s scrutiny of the Ladki Bahin scheme reflects its effort to maintain fiscal discipline while ensuring that welfare reaches the truly deserving. As budget pressures grow, tighter checks may become the norm across other welfare schemes too.

Read more on: Mahila Samman Savings Certificate vs Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana: Features, Deadline and More

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