On Monday, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that the beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana would receive their December installment of Rs 1,250 on November 20, following the conclusion of voting for the state assembly elections.
This scheme specifically targets women from families with an annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh. The ruling Mahayuti coalition has pledged to increase the aid to Rs 2,100 if it wins the upcoming election, with results to be declared on November 23.
NCP leader Sharad Pawar claims Ladki Bahin Yojana may end post-elections
Shinde emphasized that the purpose of the Ladki Bahin Yojana is to empower women and expressed anticipation that the opposition would try to undermine it. To avoid delays, he arranged for advance payments through November.
Once the voting concludes on November 20 and the model code of conduct is lifted, beneficiaries will receive their December installment, he clarified. Since October 15, the model code of conduct has been in effect, following the Election Commission’s announcement of the poll schedule for Maharashtra and Jharkhand.
The opposition, particularly NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar, has criticized the financial sustainability and long-term viability of the scheme. During a rally in Ahilyanagar, Pawar claimed that the Ladki Bahin scheme would be scrapped after the election results are declared.
