Bombay High Court directs State to ensure smooth implementation of Mukhyamantri ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin’ Scheme for eligible women | Representational Image
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court had directed the State government to ensure smooth implementation of Mukhyamantri ‘Majhi Ladki Bahin’ Scheme while disposing of a PIL by NGO Prameya Welfare Foundation.
The plea filed by the NGO sought directions to the state government for the effective implementation of the Scheme. The NGO highlighted challenges faced by eligible women in filing and uploading applications for the scheme, which was introduced in June 2024 and subsequently revised twice.
The state government, through an affidavit filed by the Deputy Secretary of the concerned department, informed the court about steps taken to address the initial difficulties. The affidavit stated that 11 agencies across various departments were assigned to assist women in submitting their applications. Of the 2.51 crore applications received, over 2.43 crore were deemed eligible, while approximately 90,000 were rejected.
However, the petitioner raised concerns over a new Government Resolution (GR) dated September 6, 2024, which limited the process to Anganwadi Sevikas at Anganwadi centers. Previously, 11 agencies facilitated the application process, but the GR reduced this support, raising fears of fresh hurdles for applicants, especially as the scheme had been revised multiple times.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s advocate argued that the reduction in facilitation agencies might discourage eligible women from applying, especially in rural areas where technological and logistical challenges persist.
A bench of Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar acknowledged the efforts made by the state to streamline the application process but emphasized the need to ensure that eligible women do not face difficulties due to changes in the scheme.
It directed the government to take appropriate measures to assist women in filing fresh applications, ensuring their access to the scheme’s benefits under the revised provisions. “State shall take appropriate steps so that all eligible women are able to exercise their right of seeking benefit under the altered/new scheme,” the bench said.
