Cabinet may decide today on September instalment of Ladki Bahin scheme
The Maharashtra Cabinet meets in Mumbai today and is likely to take a final decision on releasing the Rs 1,500 September instalment.
Today could be an important day for lakhs of women waiting for the September instalment of the Maharashtra government's hugely popular Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Although it is already October 6, the Rs 1,500 for September has not yet reached the bank accounts of eligible women. However, a final decision on releasing the instalment is considered highly likely at the important State Cabinet meeting in Mumbai today.
According to information from sources in Mantralaya, the meeting will be held today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. It will review the drought-like situation in the state. It will also discuss in detail the exact date on which the next instalment of the Ladki Bahin scheme is to be paid, and a decision will be taken.
The government had earlier credited the July and August instalments to women's accounts on the occasion of different festivals. Navratri is now under way and Dussehra is coming soon. With the aim of giving women in the state substantial financial support during the festive season, the government may begin crediting money to accounts after the 25th. The amount will not go out all at once but will be sent in phases to the bank accounts of all eligible women.
About 1 crore 66 lakh eligible beneficiaries under the scheme will get the direct benefit of this instalment. The government will credit the Rs 1,500 directly and securely into women's accounts through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
Looking at the previous instalment, the August payment began reaching accounts in the last phase of September. By October 2, most eligible women in the state had received the Rs 1,500 for August. Attention is now on the September instalment. As the major festivals of Navratri and Dussehra both fall in October this year, the instalment is being planned ahead of the festivals.
There is currently no official information on when the instalment will be credited. A decision on it at today's Cabinet meeting is possible, however. Beneficiaries are therefore being advised to check that their bank account is active, that Aadhaar is linked to it and that their DBT status is in order. They are also being urged to check their eligibility under the scheme in time.
