Maharashtra Bank Employee Struggle with Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana

• The Maharashtra government launched the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in August 2024 to attract women’s votes.

• Several attacks have occurred on public sector bank employees since the scheme’s introduction.

• Ashish Singh, a bank employee, was attacked while attempting to link their Aadhaar card with their account.

• The current Mahayuti government, comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, is banking on the scheme to return to power.

• Bank unions claim the number of assaults is three times higher than the 14 FIRs filed across the State since August.

• Bank employees claim that the police have failed to invoke Section 121 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in several FIRs.

• Banks have put up notices warning people of strict legal consequences if they attack bank employees.

• Some women have opened bank accounts, especially during the launch of the Jan Dhan Yojana, but many are dormant or without KYC documents.

• The United Forum of Bank Unions argues that public sector banks are understaffed, which is why employees are being attacked.

• The government acknowledges the issue and has said a remedial plan should be in place.