Ahead of state elections, Maharashtra CM launches stipend scheme Ladka Bhau Yojana for youth

Ahead of assembly polls in the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday announced a job training and stipend scheme for youth, tentatively named 'Ladka Bhau' Yojana, days after it introduced a monthly financial assistance scheme for eligible women.

Shinde declared broad features of the new scheme, primarily targeting men, at Pandharpur in Solapur district on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi.

"Some people said that 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' (for women) has been launched; what about 'Ladka Bhau' (beloved brother)? We are now announcing a scheme for Ladka Bhau where job seekers who are class 12 pass will receive Rs 6,000, diploma holders will get Rs 8,000, and those with a bachelor's degree will get Rs 10,000. They will receive this stipend from the government during their on-job training in the industry," Shinde told reporters.


Details of the scheme:
The candidate will do the apprenticeship and get a job. Simultaneously, the industry will benefit from the trained manpower, he said, adding that the apprenticeship will be funded by the state government.

While the Mukhya Mantri Yuva Karyaprashikshan Yojana’s skill development scheme was presented in the state budget recently by finance minister Ajit Pawar, Shinde’s announcement on Wednesday meant it has now been tweaked. For instance, students who had cleared class 12 or HSC or those with diplomas were not eligible for the stipend in the budget, however, now they will also be eligible.

A government resolution issued by the state government said unemployed youths would be able to get job training in the industrial, non-industrial, government and semi-government establishments under the scheme and while they are being trained these youths will get a stipend between Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.

"This is the first time in history that the state government has started such a scheme," the chief minister said.

Addressing concerns about unemployment, Shinde emphasised that this initiative aims to provide a solution.

"The state government will pay the stipend during the youth's apprenticeship in the industry," he added.

Under the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme announced in the state Budget, married, divorced, and destitute women aged 21-60 will receive Rs 1,500 per month, with the annual family income of beneficiaries capped at Rs 2.5 lakh.

(with agency inputs)