The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a significant ruling, emphasizing that the Maharashtra government cannot withhold or postpone financial assistance to children’s care institutions while simultaneously funding the Ladki Bahin scheme aimed at supporting economically disadvantaged women. This decision highlights the essential principle of equality under Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates fair treatment in the allocation of public resources.

Launched in June 2024, the Ladki Bahin scheme provides monthly financial support of ₹1,500 to women aged between 21 and 65 whose families earn below ₹2.5 lakh annually. While this initiative aims to empower women and promote gender equity, the court’s recent observations raise crucial questions regarding the state’s commitment to vulnerable children in need of protection and care.

A bench comprising Justices Kishore Sant and Sushil Ghodeswar made these remarks during the hearing of petitions from employees associated with unaided children’s homes managed by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These employees are advocating for their service conditions to be aligned with those of state government workers and are requesting the disbursement of salary grants retroactive to their dates of appointment.

The petitioners argued that a precedent set by the High Court in 2005 clearly established that employees of children’s homes should receive pay scales equivalent to those of their counterparts in other institutions under the same organization. This ruling aimed to uphold the dignity and rights of workers devoted to the care of destitute children, reflecting the court’s sensitivity towards the welfare of both children and those who care for them.

This recent court ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for the funding of children’s homes across the state, urging the government to rethink its priorities in financial allocations. As the Ladki Bahin scheme garners attention for its progressive approach to women’s rights, the court’s remarks serve as a reminder that the needs of children in vulnerable situations must not be overlooked in the pursuit of social welfare initiatives.