- 33,237 Crore Expended on ‘Ladki Bahin’ Scheme
- Historic 12,985 Crore Direct Financial Assistance for Agricultural Pump Power Subsidies
Mumbai, July 14
The State Government has expanded its fiscal allocation for social and agricultural development, successfully delivering direct benefit transfers (DBT) to the most marginalized sections of society. Data from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report on scheme expenditures underscores that Maharashtra is not only India’s premier economic powerhouse but also a model welfare state dedicated to supporting women, farmers, and the underprivileged.
In a revolutionary step toward the financial empowerment, nutrition, and healthcare of women across the state, the Department of Women and Child Development successfully transferred ₹33,237.24 crore directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries under the ‘Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ during the financial year. Additionally, a substantial funding allocation of 3,490.75 crore was distributed under the ‘Lek Ladki Yojana’ to promote the welfare of young girls.
Simultaneously, the State Government has extended historic financial relief to empower the agricultural community and build sustainable farming infrastructure. Addressing a long-standing demand of the farming sector, a massive subsidy of 12,985 crore was disbursed to provide direct concessions on electricity tariffs for agricultural pump consumers. This direct intervention has effectively minimized input and operational costs for millions of cultivators statewide. Furthermore, to provide an additional layer of economic security to farmers, the state government transferred 5,975.28 crore directly into their accounts under its flagship ‘Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi Yojana’.
To mitigate the impact of natural disasters and crop losses on the farming community, the State Government provided 5,814.56 crore to cover insurance premiums under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana’. Additionally, a dedicated budgetary allocation of 3,116.87 crore was made to enhance the productivity and value chain systems of cotton, soybean, and oilseed crops. In the transit sector, the government directly allocated 3,820 crore to the State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to offset operational deficits and ensure uninterrupted public transport services in rural areas. Finally, to bolster urban housing infrastructure for marginalized communities, direct funding of 50 crore was released under the ‘Shabari Adivasi Gharkul Yojana’. This extensive expenditure data clearly demonstrates that while maintaining its rapid macroeconomic growth, the state has systematically directed its fiscal gains to benefit women, farmers, and underprivileged citizens.
