Launched in 2024, the Ladki Bahin scheme gave a vital monthly cash lifeline to farm widows in Marathwada, but after the elections the state removed millions of beneficiaries, turning temporary security into deep anxiety.

Key Takeaways

  • The scheme initially covered 2.4 crore vulnerable women with a ₹1,500 monthly transfer.
  • Over 92 lakh beneficiaries have been deleted, reducing coverage by roughly 38%.
  • For farm widows, the loss of this aid now creates severe financial and psychological stress.

In Kherda village of Maharashtra’s Dharashiv district, widowed farmer Manisha Jadhav limps into a low‑ceiling hall to discuss the future of the Chief Minister’s Ladki Bahin Yojana. The program, rolled out ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, promised ₹1,500 per month directly into the bank accounts of 2.4 crore women across the state.

However, once the political dust settled, the state began deleting names based on new exclusion criteria – government employees, taxpayers, and existing welfare‑scheme beneficiaries. Local activists report that more than 92 lakh women have been removed, slashing the scheme’s reach by nearly 38%.

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Manisha explains, “Our household budget barely reaches ₹3,000‑₹4,000 a month; if this ₹1,500 stops, managing basic needs becomes impossible.” She now farms two acres of dry‑land soybeans, battling erratic monsoons and volatile market prices that swing between crashes after good rains and spikes when crops fail.

Historical Background: Since the 1970s, Marathwada has struggled with water scarcity. Although the Godavari basin runs nearby, its tributaries often dry up, leaving farmers dependent on an increasingly unpredictable monsoon. This chronic drought has repeatedly prompted the state to launch welfare schemes, yet their longevity has always hinged on political will.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the abrupt removal of beneficiaries not only undermines the credibility of welfare schemes but also exacerbates gender‑based economic vulnerability in drought‑prone regions. Without reliable cash transfers, widowed farmers face heightened risk of debt, land loss, and mental health crises.

“Financial security is the cornerstone for empowering rural women; its sudden withdrawal fuels a cycle of poverty and despair,” says social‑policy expert Dr. Swati Patel.
Did You Know?: Marathwada recorded over 1,500 farmer suicides between 2024‑2026, more than double the national average for comparable regions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can removed beneficiaries be reinstated?
A: The state has not issued clear re‑enrollment guidelines; affected women must appeal through local officials.

Q2: Why were so many names deleted?
A: Officials cite “preventing duplication and misuse” by excluding government employees, taxpayers, and those already receiving other welfare benefits.