Is There a Plan to Offer Loans to Ladki Bahin Yojana Beneficiaries?

Mumbai, July 3 (NationPress) In a written response in the state assembly, Minister of Women and Child Welfare Aditi Tatkare clarified that there are currently no plans to provide bank loans to beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana for starting small businesses.

This statement follows remarks made by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, who had indicated that beneficiaries would qualify for such loans.

Minister Tatkare did not address the ruling coalition's electoral promise to increase the monthly financial assistance under the Ladki Bahin Yojana from Rs 1500 to Rs 2100, despite inquiries from both ruling and opposition legislators.

“The scheme currently provides a monthly financial aid of Rs 1500 to eligible women. For the fiscal year 2025-26, a budget allocation of Rs 28,290 crore has been made for the general category, Rs 3240 crore for the tribal category under the Tribal Development department, and Rs 3960 crore for the Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist category under the Social Justice and Special Assistance department. The available funds have been distributed to ensure financial support to eligible women beneficiaries,” the minister explained in her response.

The department acknowledged that 2,289 women state government employees had benefited from the scheme, but their benefits were halted upon discovering misuse.

In May 2025, Ajit Pawar had mentioned that the government was considering collaborations with cooperative and regional banks to provide these loans.

“District cooperative banks can extend loans of Rs 30,000-40,000 to my sisters, which could serve as the initial capital for starting a small business. Additionally, Rs 1500 will be deposited monthly into these banks to facilitate loan repayment,” Pawar stated during an event in Nande district’s Mukhed.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also emphasized that the government is focused on ensuring that financial aid yields meaningful benefits for the beneficiaries. “We are committed to ensuring that the scheme is effectively implemented,” the Chief Minister remarked.

In response to inquiries about the scheme outlined by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, the minister reiterated that no plans are currently in place.

The Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship initiative of the previous Eknath Shinde-led government, was officially launched in August last year. The program aims to provide eligible women living below the poverty line with Rs 1,500 monthly through direct benefit transfer (DBT).