Maharashtra Purges 90 Lakh Fraud Cases from Ladki Bahin Yojana
90 lakh struck off Ladki Bahin for ineligibility, including men and duplicates.
The Maharashtra government's flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has removed around 90 lakh beneficiaries from its list due to widespread ineligibility, ensuring funds reach only genuine recipients under the women's empowerment scheme.
Launched in 2024, the program provides ₹1,500 monthly to eligible women aged 21-65 from families with annual income below ₹2.5 lakh, aiming to support over 2.5 crore beneficiaries amid electoral promises. Recent audits revealed massive irregularities: over 26 lakh struck off in mid-2025 for issues like duplicate claims, government employees, and even 14,000 men fraudulently enrolled, followed by additional purges including 2.83 lakh in Beed district alone. Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare confirmed suspensions from June 2025, with district collectors verifying cases and restoring valid ones.
Key reasons for delisting include exceeding age limits, availing multiple schemes (e.g., Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana), family members claiming beyond two per household, and technical errors in applications. In Beed, violations of income and age criteria led to the latest cull, part of a statewide drive recovering misused funds—estimated at crores from wrongful payouts. Deputy CM vowed strict action against fraudsters, emphasizing the scheme's focus on economically disadvantaged women.
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| Violation Type | Examples Struck Off |
|---|---|
| Multiple Scheme Claims | 26.34 lakh total |
| Male Beneficiaries | 14,000+ cases |
| Govt Employees | 2,200+ erroneous |
| Beed District Specific | 2.83 lakh ineligible |
Despite cuts, 2.25 crore women continue receiving aid, with the 2026-27 budget trimming allocations by ₹26,500 crore to reflect the refined list while sustaining operations. Affected applicants with technical glitches have until March 31, 2026, to rectify via eKYC or portals, avoiding permanent exclusion.
This cleanup addresses criticisms of lax vetting that strained the exchequer, balancing populist welfare with fiscal prudence ahead of municipal polls. Officials assure the scheme persists, with enhanced Aadhaar-linked checks preventing future leaks and maximizing impact on women's financial independence.
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