maharashtra-govt-starts-rs-3-000-trial-for-ladki-bahin

With just days remaining before the official launch of Maharashtra’s “Ladki Bahin Yojana,” the Women and Child Development Department announced on Wednesday that it has successfully transferred Rs 3,000 into selected beneficiaries' bank accounts as part of a trial run for the first two months.

 

Under the "Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana," underprivileged women aged 21 to 65 will receive Rs 1,500 per month from the state government. The scheme, introduced in the state budget at the end of June, is projected to cost Rs 46,000 crore annually and is being launched ahead of the assembly elections scheduled for October.

 

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde confirmed the trial run, stating, "We have lived up to our promise. We had pledged to transfer Rs 3,000 (covering two months’ instalment) to women beneficiaries whose bank account details have been verified."

 

Shinde urged women to ignore critics of the scheme, who have labelled it as a poll gimmick and financially impractical. "I appeal to women to steer clear of those who are disparaging this scheme. They have attempted to obstruct its implementation, even challenging it in the Bombay High Court, which rejected their plea—a significant setback for our opponents," Shinde said.

 

The government has stated that approximately 1.35 crore women are eligible for the Rs 1,500 monthly stipend, with an annual family income limit set at Rs 2.5 lakh.

 

As part of the trial, the government has already transferred the promised amount into selected bank accounts. Most eligible women are expected to receive their first two instalments (totaling Rs 3,000) on August 17, the official launch date of the scheme.

 

BJP MLA Ranajagjitsinha Patil from Dharashiv district shared screenshots on X, showing SMS notifications of the funds transfer to beneficiaries. Patil noted, "Money has begun to arrive under the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Eligible women are seeing the funds in their accounts. Those who submitted their details after July 31 will receive their payments in the scheme's second stage."

 

Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare confirmed that around 1.35 crore women have become eligible for the Rs 1,500 monthly payments, with the majority expected to receive Rs 3,000 on August 17. An official event has been planned for the launch of the scheme, which falls two days before Rakshabandhan.

 

Tatkare also announced that the registration deadline for the scheme, initially set for August 31, has been extended. "Women who meet the eligibility criteria after August 31 will also begin receiving Rs 1,500 per month in their bank accounts," she added.