Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin scheme cleared despite concerns by finance department

MUMBAI: The Shinde govt's Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana for underprivileged women, announced in the budget last month, will cost Rs 46,000 crore every year. TOI has learned that the state finance department had expressed concerns about the steep expense on the Yojana in view of the state's financial condition, but the cabinet passed it anyway, official sources said.
The scheme, which will provide a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to poor women, is patterned on the Madhya Pradesh government's Ladli Behna Yojana, which helped the BJP retain power in the state. Over 40 lakh women have registered for it.
With assembly polls due in October, the Mahayuti govt had announced massive sops in the budget, of which this was the most expensive. The state's debt projection for 2024-25 has shot up to Rs 7.8 lakh crore.
Before it was discussed in the cabinet, the state finance department pointed out that Rs 4,677 crore were already allocated for programs of the women and child welfare department for the entire year. Many times that amount would be required by the Ladki Bahin scheme alone. "Given the financial condition of the state, it is not clear how the required funds will be arranged," the department said.
It pointed out that the departments of social justice, tribal welfare, and women and child development also had schemes for women and care was needed to avoid duplication. The finance department said the scheme should be reviewed after a time-bound period and a decision then be taken if it is practical to continue with it after taking into consideration the state's financial condition. A scheme for girls up to the age of 18 years was also in operation. It provides Rs 1.1 lakh for girls in stages till they turn 18 and costs the state Rs 125 crore per year.
The department raised questions about the steep administrative cost of the Ladki Bahin Yojana. It said the proposal for a 5% administrative cost would result in spending of Rs 2,223 crore per year, which seemed unreasonably high.
The Ladki Bahin scheme provides a stipend of Rs 1,500 per month to married, divorced, widowed, deserted, and destitute women whose annual family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh and who are domiciled in Maharashtra. One eligible unmarried woman from each family will also be considered for it.