Government Tightening Freebie Net? Maharashtra Identifies 26 Lakh Ineligible Beneficiaries In Ladki Bahin Scheme

The Maharashtra government has flagged nearly 26 lakh ineligible beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare announced on Monday (25 August), reported Hindustan Times.

Tatkare revealed that the state’s Information and Technology (IT) Department shared preliminary data showing these women received benefits without meeting the criteria.

The IT Department had provided preliminary information regarding approximately 26 lakh beneficiaries receiving benefits under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme who do not appear to be eligible as per the scheme's criteria, she stated in a post on X.

The ministry has forwarded the list to district authorities for physical verification. Accordingly, the Women and Child Development Department has provided the preliminary information of these beneficiaries to the concerned district machinery for scrutiny, Tatkare added.

She assured that eligible women would continue receiving assistance without interruption.

The scheme, launched in July 2024, provides Rs 1,500 per month to women aged 21–65 with annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh, provided they do not benefit from other government schemes.

Officials earlier found multiple irregularities: some families had more than two women availing benefits, some recipients drew from multiple schemes, and even men applied.

Tatkare confirmed that genuine cases would not suffer.

“It will be checked if any woman has given the account number of a male member of her family, since she may not have an account in her name. If any genuine case is found, the fund transfer will resume in such cases,” she said.

The state will act against ineligible recipients after field verification, under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy CMs Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar.

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