Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: Maharashtra Govt Receives 44 Lakh Online Applications

The Maharashtra government has received 44 lakh online applications for Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana.

This initiative aims to provide a stipend of INR 1,500 per month, which comes to INR 18,000 annually, for underprivileged women in the state. 

The eligible beneficiaries will be identified after scrutiny.

"So far we have received 44 lakh online applications despite the monsoon. Beyond this, there are also offline applications," said state women and child welfare secretary Anup Kumar Yadav as per TOI.

The Mahayuti is banking heavily on the scheme, which is estimated to cost INR 46,000 crore per year.

However, there are concerns raised about corruption in the application process. Activists alleged local villagers and agents are making women pay to fill their application forms even though the government has said no money will be charged to apply.

The scheme was introduced on July 1 and the deadline for applications is Aug 31. It was announced in the last budget of the Mahayuti govt before the assembly polls expected in October.

Eligibility criteria:

• Benefit to women aged 21 to 65 years
• Annual income must be less than 2.50 lakhs. Income certificate is not required in case of yellow or orange ration card.
• However, certificate of annual income up to 2.50 lakhs is required in case of white ration card or if there is no ration card.
• All underprivileged women married, widowed, divorced, abandoned, destitute and single women in family can benefit from the scheme.

Documents Required:

• One of the following documents will be accepted to avail the benefit of the scheme: Domicile Certificate / Ration Card before 15 years / Voter ID Card before 15 years / School Leaving Certificate / Birth Certificate.
• In case of women born in other states married to a man from Maharashtra, one of the following documents will be accepted: Husband's Domicile Certificate / Ration Card before 15 years / Voter ID card before 15 years / School Leaving Certificate / Birth Certificate