The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in June 2024, currently provides ₹1,500 per month to eligible women aged 21 to 65 from families with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh. The scheme, which has already benefited over 2.5 crore women, was designed to promote economic independence, improve health and nutrition, and strengthen women’s roles within their families and communities.
Now, the government is preparing to take the next step. Ajit Pawar revealed that a proposal is being drafted to collaborate with partner banks for extending loans up to ₹40,000 to Ladki Bahin beneficiaries who lack access to formal credit. The loans are intended to help women start or expand small businesses, invest in self-employment ventures, or meet urgent financial needs.
Loan Amount: Up to ₹40,000 per eligible woman beneficiary.
Purpose: To support entrepreneurship, self-employment, and economic activities among women.
Implementation: The government is working on guidelines and will partner with banks to facilitate easy access to these loans.
Eligibility: Existing Ladki Bahin Scheme beneficiaries-primarily women aged 21–65 from low-income families.
The loan facility will enable women to move beyond passive recipients of government aid and become active contributors to the economy. By supporting micro-businesses and self-employment, the scheme aims to foster long-term financial independence. Many women in rural and urban Maharashtra face challenges in accessing formal credit due to lack of collateral, documentation, or financial literacy. The proposed loans, backed by the state, could help bridge this gap and encourage more women to pursue entrepreneurial ventures.
The loan initiative is designed to complement the existing ₹1,500 monthly cash support, not replace it. This ensures that women continue to receive basic financial assistance while gaining new opportunities for economic advancement.
While the proposal for ₹40,000 loans is in the drafting stage, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar’s announcement signals strong political intent to implement the initiative soon. The government is expected to finalize operational guidelines, select partner banks, and roll out the facility in phases. This expansion comes at a time when the scheme’s budget allocation stands at ₹36,000 crore for 2025–26, despite fiscal constraints and ongoing debates over fund distribution.
Officials have acknowledged the need for robust verification to ensure loans reach genuine beneficiaries and are used productively. The government is also reviewing the beneficiary list to exclude ineligible recipients and ensure the scheme’s resources are targeted at the most deserving women.
