Girl child welfare: Maharashtra's Lek Laadki scheme process simplified, says minister

The Maharashtra government has streamlined the Lek Laadki scheme to better support girls, announcing that eligible applicants can now apply online and receive financial aid directly to their bank accounts, according to Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare. Parents of eligible girls can apply through the Aaple Sarkar portal, and the application process now requires fewer documents, Tatkare stated in a press release.

Girls who were eligible starting April 1, 2023, have until August 15, 2027, to apply for the scheme. For new cases, applications must be submitted within a year of the girl's birth.

The revised system automatically retrieves beneficiary details using the Aadhaar number, and the E-KYC of the girl, her mother, and father will be completed. The financial assistance provided by the scheme is disbursed directly to the linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer. Minister Tatkare expressed confidence that the simplified procedure would expedite the application process, enhance transparency, and make the scheme more beneficiary-friendly, helping more eligible girls benefit from the program.

Implemented by the Women and Child Development Department, the Lek Laadki scheme aims to promote girls' education, empower them, and foster a positive attitude towards girls. Under the scheme, girls born on or after April 1, 2023, are entitled to ₹5,000 after birth, ₹6,000 upon admission to Class 1, ₹7,000 upon admission to Class 6, ₹8,000 upon admission to Class 11, and ₹75,000 after turning 18 years old.

The total financial assistance under the scheme amounts to ₹1.01 lakh, as per the minister. As of now, 2,98,695 beneficiaries have received the first installment of the Lek Laadki scheme.