Maharashtra Launches Ladka Bhau Internship Scheme for Youth

With the Maharashtra Assembly election approaching, the Eknath Shinde-led government has unveiled an internship scheme targeting unemployed youth. This scheme, named Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana, is modeled after the successful ‘Ladki Bahini Yojana’ and aims to spend Rs 5,500 crore on the internship program.

Speaking at a public event in Pandharpur on Tuesday, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde referenced the ‘Majhi Ladki Bahini Yojana’, introduced in the state budget to empower and support young women. He mentioned that the new scheme, which includes provisions for young men, responds to public demand for a similar initiative for “Ladka Bhau” (dear brother). Under this scheme, Shinde announced that Rs 6,000 would be given to those who have passed Class 12, Rs 8,000 for ITI and diploma holders, and Rs 12,000 per month for graduates.

Although the Chief Minister’s speech emphasized “Ladka Bhau,” the Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana is not exclusively for men. Last month, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported the Maharashtra government’s decision to implement the “Ladki Bahini” scheme and called for a similar policy for men.

“As the government plans to introduce various welfare schemes, one of which is the Ladli Behna scheme like in Madhya Pradesh, I welcome it and ask that this scheme be extended to boys too. Why discriminate? Both girls and boys should benefit from this,” Uddhav Thackeray said. This scheme, announced in Budget 2024-25 by state Finance Minister Ajit Pawar, aims to empower women by giving Rs 1,500 to women in the 25-60 age group every month, with an additional Rs 250 for women heads of families.

In response, Eknath Shinde expressed his commitment to launching welfare schemes for the youth, women, farmers, and the underprivileged sections of society. He emphasized that these measures would continue to address the needs of the public and contribute to the state’s overall development.