Maharashtra: State Reduces Stipend for 8 Lakh Ladki Bahin Beneficiaries Amid Financial Scrutiny

The Maharashtra state government has slashed the monthly stipend for eight lakh women enrolled under its flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, citing that these beneficiaries are also receiving aid under the Namo Shetkari Mahasamman Nidhi (NSMN) scheme.

According to the TOI report, 8 lakh women will now receive ₹500 per month instead of ₹1,500, since they are already getting ₹1,000 from the Shetkari programme. Under the Ladki Bahin scheme’s rules, beneficiaries can avail of other government schemes, but the combined monthly benefit must not exceed ₹1,500.

This revision comes as part of the state’s ongoing effort to verify and streamline the list of beneficiaries, ensuring that only those who meet the eligibility criteria continue to receive the full payout. “A continuous scrutiny process has been in place—initially to verify applications forwarded by district authorities, and then to re-verify the shortlisted entries,” a senior official said.

The government has also excluded beneficiaries of the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, which offers ₹1,500 per month, as they already receive the maximum allowable benefit under the Ladki Bahin scheme’s rules.

The financial tightening comes at a time when the state is under pressure to balance its books. For the fiscal year 2025–26, Maharashtra’s debt is projected to reach ₹9.3 lakh crore. Consequently, the outlay for the Ladki Bahin scheme has been trimmed from ₹46,000 crore to ₹36,000 crore in the latest budget.

The scheme’s eligibility hinges on five key criteria: women must be aged between 18 and 65, be domiciled in Maharashtra, and have a family income below ₹2.5 lakh annually. Those owning a four-wheeler or having a family member in a government job are ineligible. Beneficiaries may receive support from other government schemes, provided the total assistance does not exceed ₹1,500 a month.

Back in October, prior to the Maharashtra assembly elections, the scheme saw a massive response, with 2.63 crore applications submitted. In the aftermath of the election where the Mahayuti government secured a landslide victory, a multi-phase verification drive was conducted; the number was reduced by 11 lakh to 2.52 crore by February. Eventually, stipends were released to 2.46 crore women in February and March.​