MUMBAI: After announcing the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' for girls which aims to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women in the age group of 21 to 60 years, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced the 'Ladla Bhai Yojana' for boys in the state on Wednesday. According to the welfare scheme for the youths in Maharashtra, they will be eligible for the stipend amount based on the beneficiaries' qualifications, as stated by an official from the Department of Skills, Employment, Entrepreneurship, and Innovation.

For the youth who have passed the 12th grade, there is a provision to provide Rs 6,000 per month. Further students holding a diploma will receive Rs 8,000 per month, while those who have graduated will be given Rs 10,000 per month.  Besides the stipend amount, the youth will also be given an opportunity to undergo a one-year apprenticeship in a factory, “gaining valuable work experience that will help them secure jobs based on that experience.

Speaking in Maharashtra's Pandharpur where he was visiting on the occasion of Ashadhi Ekadashi, CM Shinde reportedly said since the state government does not differentiate between boys and girls the scheme 'Ladla Bhai Yojana' has been announced for them which will solve the unemployment issue. CM Shinde said that this scheme aims to prepare a skilled workforce and emphasised that this is the first time in history that any government has introduced such a scheme.

The state government under CM Shinde has been announcing several welfare schemes, just ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections that are scheduled later this year.  The 'Ladli Behna Yojana' Maharashtra 2024 was launched on the lines of the 'Ladli Behna Yojan' in Madhya Pradesh by then CM Shivraj Chouhan and it became a ‘game-changer’ for Bharatiya Janata Party which won the state elections. Under the MP scheme women are provided with financial assistance of Rs 1250 every month under this scheme.