Maharashtra Budget 2025: Ladki Bahin Stipend Hike Details
In a recent pre-Budget Economic Survey session in Maharashtra, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar announced the transfer of a staggering ₹17,505.90 crore into the bank accounts of 2.38 crore women beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana as of December 2024. The move was met with immense joy and relief by women across the state, who received ₹3,000 in their accounts under this government initiative on August 16, 2024.
Excitement is building as the Maharashtra Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26 is set to be presented in both Houses of the legislature on March 10 by none other than Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar himself, who also oversees the Finance and Planning portfolios. Leading up to this highly anticipated event, the government’s pre-Budget Economic Survey was recently tabled in the assembly, shedding light on crucial insights and projections for the state’s economic landscape.
Insights from the Economic Survey
1. Maharashtra’s economy is poised to grow at an impressive rate of 7.3 per cent, as per advance estimates for 2024-25. This projected growth outshines the expected expansion of the national economy, which is forecasted to grow by 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal year, according to the survey report.
2. The Economic Survey revealed that a substantial amount of ₹17,505.90 crore has already been disbursed to 2.38 crore women beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana by December 2024. This financial injection has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the lives of countless women in Maharashtra.
3. Under the integrated Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana and Ayushman Bharat scheme, approximately 8.45 lakh surgeries and therapies have been successfully conducted, with a total expenditure of ₹1,143.26 crore up to December of the fiscal year 2024-25. This highlights the state’s commitment to ensuring accessible healthcare for its residents.
What Lies Ahead: Financial Aid Prospects
Amidst the buzz surrounding the Ladki Bahin Scheme, Maharashtra Minister for Women and Child Development Aditi Ttkare recently addressed the proposed increase in financial aid under the program. While there were talks of raising the stipend from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100, Ttkare clarified that this adjustment would not be immediate.
“The Mahayuti government introduced the Ladki Bahin Yojana last year, offering ₹1,500 per month to eligible women. Although there were promises to raise this amount to ₹2,100 in the election manifesto, the implementation timeline remains uncertain,” Ttkare explained, as reported by the Indian Express.
As anticipation mounts for the upcoming Maharashtra Budget presentation, all eyes are on whether the government will follow through with the speculated hike in the Ladki Bahin stipend. The financial well-being of millions of women across the state hangs in the balance, awaiting the outcome of this crucial decision.
With key economic indicators and social welfare schemes taking center stage, the Maharashtra Budget 2025 promises to be a defining moment for the state’s financial trajectory. Stay tuned for more updates as the budget unveiling draws near, offering a glimpse into the future of Maharashtra’s economic landscape and welfare initiatives.
