Over 2000 Women Excluded From Ladki Bahin Scheme After Ministry Of Women And Child Development Reports Them 'Ineligible'

Mumbai: Maharashtra excludes 2,289 ineligible female workers from the Ladki Bahin Scheme. The scheme was initiated in August 2023 by the Mahayuti government, prior to the assembly elections in November 2024. It offers a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to qualified women aged 21 to 65 years.

The Maharashtra government has recognized and dismissed 2,289 female government workers who were improperly receiving benefits from the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare told the state Assembly in a written response that these beneficiaries were deemed ineligible after a recent examination, as reported by ANI.

Verification Of Women Under Ladki Bahin Scheme

Recently, the Pune district had intensified verification of around 75,000 women registered as four-wheeler owners under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, raising concerns about the initial screening process. The state transport department provided two lists to Pune Zilla Parishad, comprising 58,350 names and 16,750 additional cases for verification via Anganwadi workers.

Preliminary checks revealed about 58,000 women genuinely own four-wheelers, with the remaining 17,000 undergoing Aadhaar verification. The discrepancies indicate flaws in the data screening process, impacting genuine beneficiaries. Currently, 20,89,946 out of 21,11,991 applicants are receiving monthly benefits of ₹1,500, stressing the state's finances. The Women and Child Welfare Department continues to cross-verify qualifications to ensure the scheme's integrity.

In May, Minister for Women and Child Development of Maharashtra Aditi Tatkare had initially disclosed that more than 2,200 female government workers had been identified as ineligible beneficiaries during the current verification process. Although ruling alliance leaders attribute their electoral success to the scheme, it has also sparked worries about financial strain on the state budget. The state administration is persisting in its inquiry to eliminate additional ineligible applicants and enhance the benefits distribution procedure.

What Is Ladki Bahin Scheme?

The Mahayuti government introduced the Ladki Bahin scheme in August 2023, prior to the assembly elections in November 2024. It offers monthly support of ₹1,500 to qualified women aged 21 to 65.