During the Question Hour, a group of over 40 MLAs questioned the Women and Child Development Minister over key aspects of the scheme’s execution. The MLAs sought clarity on whether the monthly financial assistance to beneficiaries would remain capped at Rs 1,500 instead of being increased to Rs 2,100, as was earlier proposed
Applicants submit Ladki Bahin Yojana forms at an anganwadi in Dadar in October 2024. Representational pic
The implementation of the Maharashtra government’s flagship women’s welfare scheme, 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’, came under intense scrutiny in the state Legislative Assembly on Thursday, with several legislators raising concerns about fund diversion, eligibility lapses, and delayed reforms.
During the Question Hour on Day 4 of the Maharashtra Monsoon Session 2025, a group of over 40 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), including Dr Nitin Raut, Abu Azmi, Vijay Wadettiwar, Jayant Patil, Ram Kadam, Aslam Shaikh, and Nana Patole, questioned Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare over key aspects of the scheme’s execution. The MLAs sought clarity on whether the monthly financial assistance to beneficiaries would remain capped at Rs 1,500 instead of being increased to Rs 2,100, as proposed earlier.
Another key issue raised was the alleged diversion of funds from other welfare departments. The legislators claimed that approximately Rs 3,000 crore from the Social Justice Department, Rs 4,000 crore from the Tribal Development Department, and Rs 410.30 crore from the budget allocated for Scheduled Castes and Neo-Buddhist communities had been reallocated to finance the scheme.
Questions were also raised about irregularities in the eligibility of the beneficiaries. The legislators pointed out that women who turned 21 after the scheme’s application deadline were still being considered eligible, and that a promised re-registration window for women whose applications were rejected owing to technical errors had not yet been launched. In fact, instead of reducing the number of ineligible applicants after verification, the total number of applicants increased in February and March from January.
In a significant revelation, Tatkare informed the House that 2,289 families of state government employees, who are not eligible for the scheme, had received benefits. These disbursements have since been terminated.
The minister also confirmed that on or around April 23, public representatives had written to the Principal Secretary, Women and Child Development, seeking transparency on Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) made through ICICI Bank.
The Finance Minister’s statement regarding a new proposal to offer low-interest business loans under the scheme was also brought up. The idea aims to support beneficiaries in launching small businesses, with the government subsidising the interest cost. However, the Women and Child Development Minister clarified that this proposal is still under active consideration.
Responding to the barrage of questions, Tatkare confirmed that eligible women are currently receiving Rs 1,500 per month under the scheme. She further stated that for the financial year 2025–26, the government has allocated Re 28,290 crore for beneficiaries under the general category, Rs 3,240 crore for tribal women, and Rs 3,960 crore for women from Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist communities. These funds are being disbursed accordingly.
On allegations of delay and lack of oversight, the minister stated that the government is reviewing several aspects of the scheme, including irregularities, and that further decisions on policy corrections or inquiries will be announced in due course.
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