Ladki Bahin scheme

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said the popular ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme will continue and that the government is committed to creating one crore ‘Lakhpati Didis’, women who will earn Rs 1 lakh annually. Speaking at the launch of the statewide ‘Mukhyamantri Samruddha Panchayat Raj Abhiyan’ in Kingaon, Phulambri taluka of Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, he said women-led credit societies will be set up in villages to provide employment and promote self-reliance.

The campaign aims to ensure that every village benefits from central and state schemes. Fadnavis emphasized that Maharashtra’s progress depends on the development of villages and their residents, including labourers and the poor. Under the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’, women currently receive Rs 1,500 monthly, but the government plans to expand opportunities by offering interest-free loans of Rs 1 lakh to help them become self-employed and create jobs for others.

The initiative also focuses on Dalit and Adivasi welfare, model village development, clean and green initiatives, and financial sustainability through public participation, government funds, and CSR contributions. Village-level works such as Anganwadi centers, roads, water tanks, and drain improvements will be undertaken using MGNREGA and other government schemes.

Fadnavis said 28,000 gram panchayats and 40,000 villages will be developed as model villages. Addressing Marathwada’s concerns, Minister Sanjay Shirsat urged the government to address pending projects in the drought-prone region. The CM assured that making Marathwada drought-free and supporting its development is a key government priority.

This campaign is expected to transform villages into economically strong, clean, and self-reliant communities while empowering women across the state.