Ladki Bahin Scheme: Maharashtra To Roll Out Rs 1,500 Monthly Aid For Over 1 Crore Women; Check Eligibility, Benefits, Application Process

Ladki Bahin Scheme: Over one crore eligible women in Maharashtra will start receiving Rs 1,500 per month under the state government’s ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin’ scheme, which is set to officially launch on August 17, Saturday. Similar to the ‘Ladli Behna Yojana’ in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday announced that this scheme shall not be on temporary basis but will continue indefinitely. The chief minister also mentioned that the scheme will be launched two days ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival (August 19), guaranteeing to protect the interests of women in the state through the scheme.

Ladki Bahin Scheme: Application Process

-The Maharashtra government has launched an app called ‘Nari Shakti Dhoot’, through which women eligible for the scheme can easily apply online.

-For women unable to apply online, local administration officials such as anganwadi workers and gram sevaks have been tasked with helping women apply.

-No fee shall be charged for applying for the scheme.

READ MORE: Weather Updates: Orange Alert For Heavy Rainfall In Five States; Drizzling Likely In Delhi, Mumbai

Ladki Bahin Scheme: Eligibility

-In order to be eligible for the scheme, women need to qualify as a permanent resident of the state of Maharashtra. The scheme is also applicable only for women between the age of 21 and 65 years. In order to aid those who are financially disadvantaged, the scheme only applies for women whose family or household income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh per annum.

-Officials have also urged those applying for the scheme to link their Aadhaar cards to bank accounts to avoid delays in verification and depositing of the financial aid. Banks in Maharashtra have also been advised to help in the process.

Ladki Bahin Scheme: Benefits

-The flagship scheme for the chief minister Eknath Shinde-led government, will commence on August 17, but considers July to be its starting month. Over three million women, eligible for the scheme, have received Rs 3,000 in their bank accounts, as part of an early trial run.

-The scheme which offers financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to married, divorced and destitute women, is projected to cost Rs 46,000 crore to the state exchequer annually.

READ MORE: Mumbai: Woman Attempts To Jump Off Atal Setu Bridge, Watch Daring Rescue Caught On Camera

Addressing the media on August 16, CM Eknath Shinde also said, "I only want to say that we will not only give them Rs 1,500, we will make them independent, we will make them self-reliant. Under the vision of PM Narendra Modi to make women more self-reliant, self-independent and self-respected, we will provide them more financial assistance through various schemes of the government."