From the recent launches of ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ in Maharashtra to ‘Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana’ in Jharkhand, several Indian states are doling out cash assistance schemes for women. These schemes are government initiatives designed to provide direct financial support to women, aiming to enhance their economic stability and social empowerment. These programs typically target women from low-income families, offering monthly or periodic cash transfers to help cover essential needs and improve their overall quality of life.
By providing cash transfers, these programs by the state governments seek to alleviate poverty, improve access to education and healthcare, and bolster women’s decision-making power within their families. In addition to financial relief, such schemes can also stimulate economic activity by increasing women’s purchasing power and encouraging savings.
Here are five states that have initiated the cash transfer schemes:
Madhya Pradesh: Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana
In Madhya Pradesh, the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana was initially launched in March 2023, offering Rs 1,000 per month to women with a family income under Rs 2.5 lakh. Later, the scheme’s disbursal was increased to Rs 1,250, with a planned future rise to Rs 3,000. Targeting married women aged 21 to 60, including divorced, widowed, and abandoned women, the program requires enrollment in the state’s Samagra portal. As of now, 1.29 crore women are enrolled. The scheme has been allocated Rs 18,984 crore for FY25.
Maharashtra: Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana
Maharashtra has introduced the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, targeting one crore women aged 21 to 65 with an annual family income below Rs 2.5 lakh. Eligible women will receive Rs 1,500 per month. Launched on August 17, the scheme is expected to cost the state exchequer Rs 46,000 crore annually.
The state government has set August 31, 2024, as the cut-off date for applications. Despite the launch date, the scheme will backdate payments to July 2024, with an initial Rs 3,000 installment to cover the first two months.
Jharkhand: Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana
Jharkhand’s Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana, launched on August 18 provides Rs 1,000 per month to women aged 21 to 50 with a family income up to Rs 3 lakh.
Aimed at benefiting 48 lakh women, the scheme is in its early stages, with the first installment transferred to 81,000 eligible women on its launch day. According to the state government, after the women reaches age 50, they will be transitioned to benefits under the “Chief Minister State Old Age Pension Scheme”.
The budgetary allocation for the scheme has not been disclosed. You can also read up FAQs on the scheme.
West Bengal: Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme
The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme in West Bengal, introduced in February 2021 by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, provides financial assistance to women aged 25 to 60. Introduced in 2021, the scheme offers cash assistance to women, initially providing Rs 500 per month for those from the general category and Rs 1,000 for SC/ST families. However, later these amounts were increased to Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200, respectively.
With coverage for 2.11 crore beneficiaries, the state spent Rs 10,101.87 crore on the scheme in 2023-24 and has increased its annual budget to Rs 12,000 crore.
The scheme also transitions beneficiaries to the old age pension scheme at age 60.
Karnataka: Gruha Lakshmi Scheme
Karnataka’s Gruha Lakshmi scheme, introduced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah within three months of taking office, offers Rs 2,000 per month to women who head families. The scheme, with an annual outlay of Rs 32,000 crore, targets women in families below the poverty line, above the poverty line, and those with Antyodaya cards.
As of January 2024, 1.17 crore women were enrolled, receiving Rs 11,726 crore in benefits for FY24. For FY25, the state government has allocated Rs 28,608 crore for the scheme.