The Maharashtra government’s Ladli Behna Yojana, designed to empower women, has gained widespread attention after being recognized as a crucial factor in the Mahayuti alliance’s historic electoral win. Following this win, the alliance has announced plans to increase the financial support under the scheme, raising the amount from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 per month.
The Mahayuti alliance, consisting of Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), BJP, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP, won a resounding majority in the recent Maharashtra state elections. As a key factor in the victory, the Ladli Behna Yojana played an essential role, with the ruling party’s promise of expanded benefits resonating with female voters across the state. Opposition parties, such as the Mahavikas Aghadi (MVA), countered with the Mahalaxmi Scheme, which offered Rs 3,000 per month to women but failed to persuade voters.
The Ladli Behna Yojana currently provides Rs 1,500 per month to women whose family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh. As per the election promise made by the Mahayuti alliance, this amount is set to increase to Rs 2,100 once they return to power. The government is working to empower women and boost their financial independence, and this increase is intended to help them even more, particularly in rural and economically challenged regions.
Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme
In order to be eligible for the Ladli Behna Yojana, women need to fulfill specific requirements. They should be between 21 and 65 years old and permanent residents of Maharashtra. A bank account in the applicant's own name is also required and the applicant's household income cannot exceed Rs 2.5 lakh annually. The program is accessible and inclusive for a variety of groups around the state since it is made to serve a wide range of women including married, single, abandoned, divorced, and poor women.
