Opposition Slams Maharashtra Government Over Ladki Bahin Scheme Budget Cut
Mumbai, 11th March 2025: The Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, presented its first state budget without addressing the anticipated increase in financial aid under the Ladki Bahin scheme. This initiative, introduced by the previous Eknath Shinde-led administration, was widely credited for contributing to Mahayuti’s electoral success.
During his budget speech, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar announced a Rs 10,000 crore reduction in the allocation for the Ladki Bahin scheme for the 2025-26 fiscal year, sparking strong opposition criticism. He stated that Rs 36,000 crore had been earmarked for the scheme, down from Rs 46,000 crore in the previous year. Since its launch in July 2024, the scheme, which provides financial support to around 2.53 crore women, has incurred an expenditure of Rs 33,232 crore.
Eligible women in Maharashtra receive Rs 1,500 per month under the scheme. Before the state Assembly elections in November, the Mahayuti alliance—comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), and NCP (Ajit Pawar)—had pledged to increase this amount to Rs 2,100 in its manifesto.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra’s debt stock is expected to rise by 10% in 2024-25, reaching Rs 7,82,991 crore from Rs 7,11,278 crore in the previous fiscal year, primarily due to increasing liabilities and outstanding loans.
Criticizing the budget, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray dismissed it as “completely bogus” and accused the Mahayuti government of failing to honor its welfare commitments. “This budget is nothing but a sham. They made grand promises, yet none of them have materialized,” he told reporters.
He further accused the government of making empty pledges for electoral gain. “The Rs 2,100 promise under the Ladki Bahin scheme remains unfulfilled. Their commitments were nothing more than election gimmicks. Now that the elections are over, they have turned their backs on farmers, youth, and women,” Thackeray asserted.
Responding to these allegations, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the government’s financial strategy, emphasizing the need for a balanced budget. “We are committed to gradually increasing the amount, but financial stability must be maintained,” he explained.
Echoing this stance, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reassured that the planned increase to Rs 2,100 remains on track. “People are questioning why the amount hasn’t been raised yet. We have mentioned it in our manifesto—it wasn’t a misprint. We will fulfill our promise, but implementation requires time,” he told reporters.
