'Ladki Bahin Yojana' a beneficiary scheme for women, not discriminatory: Bombay High Court

Under the scheme, which was announced in the state budget, Rs 1,500 is slated to be transferred into the bank accounts of eligible women in the age group of 21 to 65 years whose family income was less than Rs 2.5 lakh.

Mumbai: In what comes as a major relief to the Eknath Shinde-Devendra Fadnavis-Ajit Pawar government, the Bombay High Court on Monday dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana, a cash benefit scheme.

The petitioner, Naveed Abdul Saeed Mulla, had contended that it would put an additional burden on the taxpayers and exchequer.

The PIL was mentioned by Advocate Owais Pechkar, the petitioner before the division bench of Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar, last week, and requested for urgent hearing, however, the PIL was posted for Monday.

The Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana (Chief Minister's Beloved Sister Scheme) and Mukya Mantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana (Chief Minister's Youth Employment Skill Training Scheme) were announced in the State Budget 2024-25.

"It is a policy decision, so we cannot interfere unless there is violation of any fundamental rights," the court said, rejecting the petition without imposing any cost on the petitioner.

According to the Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme, Rs 1,500 is slated to be transferred into the bank accounts of eligible women in the age group of 21 to 65 years whose family income was less than Rs 2.5 lakh.

The Shiv Sena, whose chief leader Eknath Shinde is the Chief Minister, welcomed the development.

"Bombay High Court has dismissed the petition against the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, reinforcing the Maha Yuti government's people-oriented initiative,” Shiv Sena Secretary and spokesperson Dr Manisha Kayande said, adding that it is a setback to the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi.

“The scheme would proceed allowing beneficiaries to receive gifts from the Chief Minister on the auspicious occasion of Raksha Bandhan,” she said.