Ladki Bahin study: Average ₹44 spent on income generation

NCW has given final approval to a Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) study of Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. It found women spent an average of Rs 44.06 from the monthly Rs 1,500 assistance on income-generating activities.

The NCW-funded study covered 408 scheme recipients in six Maharashtra districts, with equal representation from Western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha and an equal rural-urban split. It found 55.4% had high overall financial inclusion, 39.7% moderate and 4.9% low. High saving behaviour was reported by 71.8%, high financial empowerment by 65.7%, and high use of financial services by 33.6%. The study found savings and participation in household financial decisions had increased, but the scheme had limited impact on independent earning. Women's independent use of digital banking, ATM/debit cards and money transfer services also remained limited.

Women spent an average of Rs 518.68 on household expenses, Rs 372.68 on savings, Rs 178.59 on education and Rs 176.83 on healthcare. They used Rs 18.50 for loan or EMI repayments and Rs 15.99 for gold or jewellery. High financial inclusion was reported for 69.9% in Western Maharashtra, 50% in Marathwada and 46.3% in Vidarbha.