Maharashtra elections: Amount under 'Ladki Bahin scheme' will be hiked to Rs 2100/month and more; CM Shinde releases 10 guarantees

Ahead of crucial Maharashtra polls, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced 10 guarantees for the Mahayuti bloc, including decision to up the amount that women were receiving under 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' to Rs 2,100 from Rs 1500 per month.

Ahead of the decision to hike the amount, under the scheme, women with an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh are given Rs 1,500 per month as aid.

Several members of the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Agadhi had raised doubts over the Ladki Bahin scheme. While not opposing the scheme per se, NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar, in an interview to ET, had raised doubts about the scheme, claiming that it may work only till the elections as the Mahayuti had diverted funds from other allocations to run it.

Mahayuti 10 guarantee announced by CM Eknath Shinde:

1. Increased Monthly Support for Women: Raising monthly assistance for women from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,100, alongside a plan to recruit 25,000 women into the police force to enhance safety.
2. Farm Loan Waiver and Expanded Shetkari Samman Yojana: Elevating annual financial assistance from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 15,000 for farmers and adding a 20% subsidy on the MSP.
3. Food and Shelter for All: Ensuring access to food and shelter for every individual in need.
4. Enhanced Senior Citizen Pension: Increasing the monthly pension from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 2,100 for senior citizens.
5. Price Stabilization for Essential Commodities: A pledge to maintain stable prices for essential commodities throughout the state.
6. Employment and Educational Aid for Students: Creation of 25 lakh jobs, with a monthly tuition aid of Rs. 10,000 for 10 lakh students through specialized training programs.
7. Pandan Roads in 45,000 Villages: Developing pandan roads to improve connectivity in rural areas across the state.
8. Improved Salary and Security for Anganwadi and ASHA Workers: Increasing monthly wages to Rs. 15,000 and providing security coverage for Anganwadi and ASHA workers.
9. Focus on Solar and Renewable Energy: Reducing electricity bills by 30% by investing in solar and other renewable energy sources.
10. Vision Maharashtra@2029: Committing to bring about major changes within 100 days of taking office to achieve a transformative vision for Maharashtra by 2029.

Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly will be held in a single phase on November 20. Votes will be counted on November 23.