Maharashtra Extends Ladki Bahin Yojana Enrollment Deadline

The Maharashtra government has extended the enrollment deadline for the Ladki Bahin Yojana to September 30 due to high demand. The scheme provides Rs 1,500 monthly stipends to underprivileged women. Originally set to close on July 31 and then August 31, the new deadline accommodates the overwhelming response.

The Maharashtra government has pushed the enrollment deadline for the Ladki Bahin Yojana to September 30, announced Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare.

Initially, the enrollment period was scheduled to close on July 31, but it was extended to August 31 due to a high volume of applications from potential beneficiaries.

In response to the considerable interest in the scheme, the cut-off date for submitting applications has now been moved to September 30, said Tatkare. The Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship welfare initiative of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's government, was introduced in the state budget at the end of June and is expected to cost Rs 46,000 crore annually.

Under the program, married, divorced, and destitute women aged 21-65 with an annual family income capped at Rs 2.5 lakh will receive a Rs 1,500 monthly stipend. The ruling coalition comprising the BJP, NCP, and Shiv Sena has been heavily promoting this initiative ahead of the assembly elections likely scheduled for November.

(With inputs from agencies.)