The allocation for women, girls and third gender has reduced to 8.45 per cent of the total budget expenditure (as per the budget estimates for year 2025-26) from 8.63 per cent (as per the revised estimate for year 2024-25).
However, in absolute terms it has increased from Rs 62,947 crore (in revised estimate 2024-25) to Rs 64,008 crore as per budget estimate of 2025-26.
According to the gender budget statement presented by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in legislative assembly the total allocation for women in 2025-26 is Rs 64,008 crore.
The decrease in the number could be attributed to the reduction in the allotment of funds to Rs 36,000 crore for the CM Majhi Ladki Bahin as compared to Rs 46,000 crore in the previous budget.
As per the statement for child budget, around 13.28 per cent of the total expenditure has been allocated for children’s schemes which was 12.99 per cent as per the revised estimates of 2024-25.
As per the statement the total size of the budget is estimated to be Rs 7,57,576 crore of which Rs 64,008 crore is for women, girls and third gender.
Out of this, Rs 40,602 crore is meant for 100 per cent direct expenditure on gender budget while Rs 23,406 crore is meant for less than 100 per cent direct expenditure.
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The 100 per cent direct expenditure means the schemes are designed specifically for women, girls and third gender while the other section includes schemes which may have both male and female beneficiaries (scholarships, housing and livelihood provision)
The Mahayuti has promised in its election manifesto to increase the monthly grant of CM Ladki Bahin Yojana from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100.
Despite this, the opposition had raised questions about the reduction in the provision.
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