Maharashtra Govt Drops 1.6 Lakh Women from Ladki Bahin Yojana Over Car Ownership

Mumbai: Over 1.60 lakh women whose families own four-wheelers have been excluded from the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, reducing the number of beneficiaries from 2.46 crore to 2.41 crore. The revision, announced by Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare via X (formerly Twitter), has sparked political controversy.

The Rs 46,000 crore scheme, launched by the Mahayuti government before the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, provides ₹1,500 monthly assistance to eligible women. However, post-election scrutiny led to the exclusion of nearly 5 lakh women who no longer meet the criteria. The opposition has accused the government of using the scheme for political mileage before the elections and tightening eligibility afterward.

Eligibility & Exclusions:
Women aged 21-65 from families earning less than ₹2.5 lakh annually can apply, but they are disqualified if any member is an income taxpayer, a permanent government employee or retiree receiving a pension, or already a beneficiary of other similar schemes. Households owning a four-wheeler (except a tractor) are also ineligible.

Breakdown of Excluded Beneficiaries:

• 2.30 lakh: Already receiving Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana benefits

• 1.10 lakh: Above 65 years of age

• 1.60 lakh: Families own four-wheelers

Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut criticized the move, alleging that the government is cutting numbers post-election. Another Shiv Sena (UBT) leader questioned why the rules are being enforced strictly now if the scheme wasn’t meant for electoral gains.