Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Yojana May Soon Include Business Loans Up to ₹40,000 for Women Entrepreneurs: Ajit Pawar
In a major step toward women’s economic empowerment, the Maharashtra government is considering expanding its flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana to include bank loans of up to ₹40,000 for women looking to start their own small businesses. The announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Sunday.
Currently, the Ladki Bahin scheme provides a monthly assistance of ₹1,500 to eligible women, with the state government spending nearly ₹45,000 crore annually on the initiative. Pawar stated that the government is now working on a proposal to help women who wish to become financially independent but lack the capital to begin their entrepreneurial journey.
As part of the planned expansion, banks will issue loans of up to ₹40,000 to beneficiaries of the scheme to help them set up micro-enterprises. Notably, the government is also considering covering the monthly loan EMIs under the Ladki Bahin scheme itself—making it easier for women to repay without financial strain. Discussions with cooperative and regional banks, especially in the Nanded district, are currently in progress, Pawar confirmed.
He also reassured beneficiaries that the Ladki Bahin scheme is here to stay, dismissing rumors of its discontinuation as baseless and politically motivated. “Even if there are minor delays in disbursing funds, the support continues without interruption,” he emphasized.
Pawar highlighted the long-term vision behind the initiative: “If a woman receives ₹50,000 in capital, she can start her own venture and gain financial independence. This won’t just uplift one person, but an entire family.”
In addition, the Finance Minister spoke about efforts to reduce the state’s electricity subsidy burden—currently at ₹20,000 crore per month—particularly in the agriculture sector. He mentioned that the installation of solar panels to ensure daytime power supply for farmers is nearing completion, as part of a sustainable energy strategy.
