The Maharashtra government's decision to remove more than 92 lakh beneficiaries from the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has triggered a political row, with the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) questioning the timing of the verification exercise and alleging that the beneficiary screening was deliberately delayed until after the Assembly elections. The controversy follows reports that a large number of recipients were found to be ineligible for the scheme after receiving financial assistance.
Opposition leaders have sought an explanation from the BJP-led Mahayuti government over why the verification process was initiated only after the elections. They also questioned why beneficiaries who were eventually declared ineligible continued to receive payments for several months before the scrutiny was completed. According to the Opposition, the delay raises concerns over the implementation and monitoring of one of the state's flagship welfare schemes.
The MVA further claimed that an estimated Rs 14,000 crore may have been disbursed to ineligible beneficiaries before the verification exercise concluded. Opposition parties have demanded that the government clarify how such a large number of beneficiaries were initially approved and explain the administrative lapses that allegedly allowed payments to continue despite eligibility concerns.
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Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut accused the government of introducing the scheme with electoral considerations in mind, alleging that it was intended to influence voters ahead of the Assembly elections. He demanded that responsibility be fixed for the alleged irregularities, calling for recovery of the funds paid to ineligible beneficiaries and action against officials who approved or processed the payments.
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched to provide financial assistance to eligible women in Maharashtra with the objective of strengthening their economic security. As with other welfare schemes, beneficiaries are required to satisfy prescribed eligibility conditions, and periodic verification is carried out to ensure that only qualified applicants continue receiving benefits.
The issue has intensified the political confrontation between the ruling alliance and the Opposition, with both sides expected to continue trading allegations over the implementation of the scheme. While the Opposition has demanded greater transparency and accountability in the verification process, the state government has yet to issue a detailed response to the latest criticism regarding the timing of the scrutiny and the removal of beneficiaries.
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