In a decisive statement amid rising speculation, Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde declared the Ladki Bahin Yojana will persist under the current administration. Speaking post-cabinet on Sunday, he quashed doubts fueled by rivals, setting March 6 as the date for the 2026-27 budget presentation.
Launched to empower women financially, the scheme disburses Rs 1,500 every month to beneficiaries. Shinde underscored its transformative impact, criticizing opposition parties for questioning its viability and reaffirming the government’s commitment to such programs.
The assembly’s budget session spans February 23 to March 25, 2026. CM Devendra Fadnavis, set to unveil the financial blueprint, noted enhanced central transfers worth Rs 20,000 crore. He acknowledged Ajit Pawar’s expertise in shaping previous budgets.
Tensions flared over the opposition’s absence from the customary tea session, with Shinde branding them fragmented and protest-prone. Sunetra Pawar reminisced about Ajit Pawar’s multiple budget tablings.
Looking ahead, Shinde expressed optimism that the upcoming budget will cater to public aspirations while bolstering Maharashtra’s growth trajectory, balancing welfare with fiscal prudence.