Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde announces Ladka Bhau Yojana for Youths

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced a new scheme, 'Ladka Bhau' Yojana, on 17 July 2024 for the unemployed youth of the state. He announced the scheme during his visit to Pandharpur in Solapur district in Ashadhi Ekadashi. The announcement of the scheme follows the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ announced for women in the 2024-25 state government budget. 

Maharashtra will go to polls to elect a new legislative assembly as the term of the current assembly is scheduled to end in November 2024.

According to tradition, every year, on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, the Maharashtra chief minister visits the famous temple in Pandharpur, dedicated to Lord Vitthal and the goddess Lakshmi, to offer prayers. 

Feature of the  Ladka Bhau Yojana 

The Ladka Bhau Yojana is a job training and stipend scheme for unemployed male youth.

• An unemployed youth will join as an apprentice in the industrial, non-industrial, government and semi-government establishments.
• The youth will be paid a stipend from the state government during the training.
• The 12th-pass apprentice will receive Rs 6,000, the diploma holder Rs 8,000, and those with a bachelor's degree Rs 10,000 per month. 
• According to CM Shinde, the unemployed youth will gain skills while doing apprenticeships, which will help them secure a job in the future. The industrial and non-industrial establishments will get trained manpower.

Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme

• The 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme was announced in the state budget and implemented across the state on 1 July 2024. 
• Under the scheme, married, divorced, and destitute women aged 21-60 will receive Rs 1,500 per month.
• It will be a DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) scheme, where the amount will be directly credited to the beneficiaries' bank accounts.
•  However, the beneficiary's annual income shall not be more than Rs  2.5 lakhs annually.
• The women will also get three gas cylinders per year free of cost from the state government.