WelfareScheme – Maharashtra Removes 69 Lakh Women From Benefit Program

WelfareScheme –  The Maharashtra government has suspended upcoming payments under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana after a major statewide verification exercise led to the removal of nearly 69 lakh beneficiaries from the scheme. Officials said only applicants meeting all eligibility requirements will continue receiving financial support.

Large-Scale Verification Cuts Beneficiary Numbers

The verification campaign was launched after the state administration received complaints that several ineligible individuals had managed to secure benefits under the welfare program. According to government officials, the scrutiny process included checks related to e-KYC compliance, income details, supporting documents, and personal information submitted during registration.

When the scheme was introduced by the then Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, around 2.46 crore women had enrolled as beneficiaries. However, after the latest review, the number of eligible recipients has reportedly declined to nearly 1.77 crore.

Officials stated that many applicants failed to complete mandatory procedures despite receiving multiple extensions from the government to update their records and documents.

Reasons Behind Disqualification

Sources in the administration said beneficiaries were removed for several reasons, including incomplete e-KYC verification, incorrect documentation, inaccurate income declarations, and failure to meet eligibility norms fixed by the state government.

Authorities had reportedly extended the deadline for document corrections and updates several times since November 2025. April 30 was later announced as the final deadline for compliance. Following the final review, around 69 lakh women were found to have failed the verification process.

An official familiar with the development said the government was compelled to tighten scrutiny after repeated complaints regarding misuse of the scheme and concerns over financial losses to the state treasury.

Instalment Payments Temporarily Stopped

The state government has also paused the release of pending instalments for March and April during the ongoing verification process. Officials indicated that payments would resume once the scrutiny exercise is fully completed and verified beneficiaries are confirmed.

Under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, eligible women receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500. The scheme was designed to support economically weaker women across Maharashtra and became one of the most discussed welfare initiatives in the state ahead of the elections.

Government estimates initially projected the annual financial burden of the scheme at nearly Rs 45,000 crore. That figure was later revised to around Rs 36,000 crore, and following the reduction in beneficiary numbers, the expected expenditure has now reportedly declined to nearly Rs 26,000 crore.

Recovery Action May Be Considered

Officials have also indicated that the administration may examine whether recovery proceedings should be initiated against beneficiaries who allegedly received payments despite not qualifying under the rules.

A senior official, speaking anonymously, said the matter is currently under consideration at higher administrative levels. However, the official also acknowledged that the responsibility for verification did not rest solely with beneficiaries.

According to the official, government departments should have conducted stricter checks before approving applications and releasing funds. The source further suggested that during the early stages of implementation, the focus remained on expanding the number of beneficiaries quickly.

Welfare Scheme Faces Administrative Scrutiny

The Ladki Bahin scheme remains politically significant in Maharashtra, particularly because of its wide outreach among women voters. However, the latest verification drive has highlighted administrative challenges linked to large-scale welfare distribution programs.

Officials maintain that the current exercise is aimed at ensuring that only genuine and eligible beneficiaries continue receiving assistance, while also reducing unnecessary pressure on public finances.