Maharashtra’s Ladki Bahin Yojana: ₹3000 Combined Payment Likely

The Maharashtra government is reportedly considering a ₹3,000 combined payment for beneficiaries of its Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, potentially disbursing both July and August installments before Raksha Bandhan. This move addresses pending financial aid for eligible women under the scheme.

According to a Mint report, this proposed disbursement would include the pending July payment and the August installment, each valued at ₹1,500. Such a release aims to provide timely assistance, especially with the festive season approaching.

Understanding the Yojana’s Framework

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in July 2024, provides monthly financial aid to women in Maharashtra. This initiative specifically targets women to foster their economic independence.

To qualify for the scheme, women must meet specific criteria. They must be aged between 21 and 65 years, and their family’s annual income must be below ₹2.5 lakh. Funds are directly transferred to their bank accounts.

Payment Delays and Anticipation

While beneficiaries typically anticipate monthly installments by the 15th, the July payment remains outstanding. August is also already halfway through, leading to an expectation of a combined release.

There is speculation that both installments could be released together by August 20. However, the Maharashtra government has not yet issued any official confirmation regarding this date or the combined payment plan.

Beneficiary List Adjustments

The scheme has faced scrutiny following an e-KYC verification drive, which led to the reported deletion of approximately 81 lakh beneficiaries. This exercise aimed to ensure financial assistance reaches only eligible recipients, as stated by the government.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar claimed that the total number of beneficiaries decreased from an initial 2.47 crore to between 1.66 crore and 1.77 crore after the e-KYC process. Beneficiaries are now awaiting an official announcement from the Maharashtra government.

This official communication is crucial for clarifying both eligibility status and the exact date of the next payment disbursement for the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.