India, March 9 -- Maharashtra government officials have hinted that the promised rise in the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana payout is unlikely to be announced in the state budget for 2025-26, which will be presented on March 10.

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections last year, the ruling Mahayuti alliance had announced in its manifesto that it would increase the monthly allowance given to underprivileged women under the populist scheme from Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,100. In his first press conference after taking over as chief minister in December, Devendra Fadnavis had also said that his government will consider increasing the payout in the upcoming state budget.

However, a day after the state's Economic Survey revealed a slowdown in the growth...