Lake Ladki scheme applications now open directly on MahaDBT 2.0 portal, with fewer documents

The way to apply under the state government's Lek Ladki scheme has changed. Applicants can now apply online directly on the MahaDBT 2.0 portal, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare said. The scheme is run in the state to encourage the birth of girls, advance their education and empower them.

The scheme's process has been improved in line with the suggestions received on simplifying the government's various schemes. A new government process re-engineering (GPR) has been prepared for this. Under it, applicants can fill in the application online themselves. All the stages, including registration of the application, scrutiny, approval of the application and approval of the benefit, have been simplified. The number of documents applicants had to submit has also been reduced.

The new arrangement will bring the most relief to beneficiaries in areas where anganwadi centres are not functioning. The difficulties faced in filling in applications in such places will now be removed. People living in any part of the state will now be able to apply online for the scheme. The current status of a submitted application can also be checked online.

The decision to credit the scheme's money to beneficiaries' accounts through direct benefit transfer (DBT) had already been taken. With the application process now online as well, an important stage in implementing the scheme has been completed. So far, 2,98,695 beneficiaries have received the first benefit under the scheme.

As background, the Majhi Kanya Bhagyashree scheme was discontinued and the Lek Ladki scheme was launched in the state from April 1, 2023. The scheme is for girls born on or after April 1, 2023, in families holding yellow or saffron ration cards. The family's annual income must not exceed Rs 1 lakh. The family must be resident in Maharashtra, and one or two girls born after April 1, 2023 benefit from the scheme.

Under the scheme, girls receive a total financial benefit of Rs 1,01,000 in several instalments. Rs 5,000 is given on the birth of a girl, Rs 6,000 on admission to Class 1, Rs 7,000 on admission to Class 6 and Rs 8,000 on admission to Class 11. A final benefit of Rs 75,000 is paid when the girl turns 18.

To claim the final benefit, the girl must be unmarried and have completed 18 years. In addition, a family planning certificate must be submitted for the third instalment of the first child and the second instalment of the second child.