Mumbai, March 10 -- The state government has started using the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' (MMLBY) in a unique way by allowing beneficiaries to access collateral-free, interest-free loans for setting up their own micro businesses. With the help of the Mumbai District Central Cooperative Bank, eligible women entrepreneurs can now get a loan to set up a small business. The Ladki Bahin scheme which provides a monthly Rs.1,500 to eligible women aged 21 to 65, will now provide a loan which can also be considered an advance on the monthly payments. The women will not have to repay the loan as it will be deducted from their monthly Rs.1,500 under the scheme. A pilot programme has already been taken up and nearly 6,500 women have received interest free loans through the Coop Bank. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that they are encouraged by the early success of the programme and plan to expand it across the state. He was speaking at the 'Nari Shakti Sangam: Gramin Mahila Netritva Parishad 2026' held at Rambhau Mhalgi Prabodhini in Bhayander on Sunday. Fadnavis said that the government has decided to use the Ladki Bahin scheme to empower women by linking it to several welfare schemes. "Through this initiative, they are transitioning from being beneficiaries of a scheme to embarking on their journey as entrepreneurs," he said....