Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana | 10 Mar 2025

Why in News? 

The Maharashtra government provided over Rs 17,000 crore in financial assistance to 2.38 crore women since launching the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in 2024. 

 Key Points 

• Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: 
  • The scheme aims to rehabilitate, economically develop, and empower women aged 21 to 65 years by disbursing Rs 1,500 per month. 
  • Up to December 2024, the total disbursement under the scheme amounted to Rs 17,505.90 crore. 
• Gender Budget Allocation: 
  • The share of the gender budget in the total State budget increased from 3.1% in 2023-24 to 3.3% in 2024-25. 
  • The financial allocation for gender-related initiatives rose marginally from Rs 20,391 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 21,951 crore in 2024-25. 
• Decline in Women-Specific Schemes: 
  • Shelter Homes, Hostels, and Protective Homes: 
    • Expenditure fell from Rs 15.31 crore (2023-24) to Rs 9.82 crore (2024-25 up to December). 
    • The number of beneficiaries dropped from 6,654 to 4,527. 
  • Women’s Counselling Centres: 
    • Budget reduced from Rs 4.2 crore (previous year) to RS 1.32 crore (current year). 
    • Beneficiaries decreased from 25,734 to 18,322. 
  • Manodhairya Scheme (Rehabilitation for Rape and Acid Attack Survivors): 
    • Funding dropped nearly 50%, from Rs 48 crore last year to Rs 19.48 crore this year. 
    • However, the number of beneficiaries increased from 374 to 422. 
  • Pink E-Rickshaw Scheme: 
    • Announced in July 2024, but no disbursement has been recorded yet. 
    • The scheme targets 10,000 women (ages 20-40 years) in major cities across eight districts.