Bombay High Court on Friday (April 10, 2026) remarked that the State government should discontinue the Mukhyamantri Maajhi Ladki Bahin Yojana if it does not have funds to pay pension to retired government employees. The court was hearing a plea by a woman who had retired as a teacher from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), stating that she had not been paid pension and other benefits as per the Seventh Pay Commission.

Questioning the government’s priorities, the court stated, “If the government has no funds to pay pensions, then schemes like Ladki Bahin should be stopped.” Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Mahayuti government’s financial assistance scheme for women, which provides monthly instalments of ₹1500 to around 1.5 crore eligible beneficiaries, has been criticised for burdening the treasury and affecting budgets across various departments. Ministers, including Shiv Sena’s Sanjay Shirsat, have complained of budget diversions to fund the Mahayuti government’s flagship scheme.

“If funds are unavailable and the treasury is empty, then sell the tables, chairs and air conditioners in the municipal office or sell luxurious cars of the Municipal Commissioner and other officials, but the pension of the employees should be paid immediately,” the court observed. It added, “If the Additional Commissioners get regular salaries, then why can’t teachers, who served their entire lives, get their pensions ?” The court has directed the Additional Commissioner concerned to submit an affidavit explaining reasons for non-payment of pending dues.