Direct Cash Transfer for Women: In 2024-25, nine states have spend over 1.5 lakh crore rupees on cash transfer schemes for women. These states include smaller states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkahnd and bigger states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and Tamil Nadu. Over the last two years, the number of states implementing such schemes has increased. In 2022-23, only Assam and West Bengal had these schemes. Himachal Pradesh is rolling out its scheme in phases. These cash transfers are also part of poll promises in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Telangana.
- Assam – Orunodoi
- Chhattisgarh- Mahtari Vandan Yojna
- Odisha : Subhadra Yojna
- Tamil Nadu- Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Scheme
- Karnataka: Gruha Lakshmi Scheme
- Madhya Pradesh : Ladli Behna scheme
- Maharashtra : Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna
- Jharkhand : Maiyan Samman Yojna
- West Bengal : Lakshmi Bhandar Yojana
Assam – Orunodoi
The Orunodoi scheme, designed to empower women members of poor families, deposits Rs 1,250 per month directly into their bank accounts on the 10th day of every month. Launched on December 1, 2020, the scheme’s second edition was announced on December 14, 2022, to include more beneficiaries. On Thursday, the Assam government launched the third edition of this flagship poverty alleviation scheme, which will cover 37.2 lakh beneficiaries for direct cash transfers.
Chhattisgarh – Mahtari Vandan Yojna
The Mahtari Vandan Yojna in Chhattisgarh provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000. The scheme benefits all eligible married women in the state who are above 21 years of age as of January 1, 2024. Widows, divorced, and deserted women are also eligible. Approximately 70 lakh women will benefit from the scheme, with the state government budgeting Rs 3,000 crore for it.
Odisha – Subhadra Yojna
The Subhadra Yojna is a flagship initiative by the Government of Odisha aimed at financially empowering women, improving their socio-economic status, and promoting their safety and well-being. Beneficiaries receive a Subhadra Card, along with annual financial support of Rs 10,000 over five years, as well as rewards for digital transactions. Eligible beneficiaries will receive a total of Rs 50,000, distributed as Rs 10,000 annually over five years. To qualify for the scheme, the family’s total income should not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. The Odisha government has budgeted Rs 10,000 crore for this initiative.
Tamil Nadu – Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Scheme
Under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Scheme, the Tamil Nadu government provides financial assistance of Rs 1,000 every month to women residents of Tamil Nadu. Approximately 1.06 crore women have been identified as beneficiaries. Only one woman from each family, the woman head of the family, can receive Rs 1,000 per month. The woman listed as the head of the family in the ration card is considered the family head. The state government has capped the household income at less than Rs 2.5 lakh.
Karnataka – Gruha Lakshmi Scheme
The Gruha Lakshmi Scheme, announced by the Karnataka government, provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,000 to the head women of households. Around 1.28 crore women in the state benefit from this scheme, with payments starting from August 16, 2023, directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. Eligible women, listed as family heads on Antyodaya, Below Poverty Line (BPL), and Above Poverty Line (APL) ration cards, can benefit from the scheme. Only one woman per family is eligible. The state has allocated ₹28,608 crore for the Gruha Lakshmi Scheme.
Madhya Pradesh – Ladli Behna Scheme
The Ladli Behna Scheme, conceptualized by Shivraj Singh Chouhan, provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to beneficiaries. This scheme played a significant role in securing the ruling BJP’s victory in the last Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. The assistance was later increased by Rs 250 to Rs 1,250. The MP government has earmarked Rs 18,000 crore in the 2024-25 budget for the scheme, which currently benefits 1.29 crore women in the state.
Maharashtra - Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna
Launched on June 28, 2024, the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna in Maharashtra provides monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women. To avail the benefits, the family’s annual income must be less than Rs 2.5 lakh. The government has allocated Rs 46,000 crore annually for the scheme.
Jharkhand - Maiyan Samman Yojna
In Jharkhand, the Hemant Soren-led JMM-Congress government announced the Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojna, under which women aged 21-50 years will receive Rs 1,000 every month in their bank accounts. Initially, a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 was announced for women aged 50 years and above, which was later increased to Rs 2,500. The state government aims to provide benefits to 4.5 million women, with an annual budget of Rs 5,500 crore.
West Bengal - Lakshmi Bhandar Yojana
Under the Lakshmi Bhandar Yojana, women who apply for the scheme will receive a direct deposit into their accounts. Women from the general category will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while those from the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) categories will receive Rs 1,200 per month. Annually, women will receive a total of Rs 14,400 under this scheme. Currently, 2.11 crore women are benefiting from the scheme, with an expenditure of Rs 10,101.87 crore in the 2023-24 financial year.