02 June,2026 07:14 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
CM Fadnavis said the government had undertaken a detailed verification process after the scheme was launched. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured that the state government's flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme will continue, stating that around 1.7 crore eligible women will keep receiving financial assistance despite a large-scale verification drive that led to the removal of several beneficiaries, reported the PTI.
Speaking ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting, Fadnavis said the government had undertaken a detailed verification process after the scheme was launched, as beneficiaries were initially allowed to self-certify their eligibility due to time constraints in submitting documents.
He said the subsequent scrutiny was necessary because government expenditure is subject to audit and accountability.
According to the chief minister, the verification process uncovered multiple discrepancies. These included beneficiaries from families of government employees receiving assistance and instances where men had applied under the scheme.
CM Fadnavis said around 10 lakh beneficiaries were found to have irregularities, while nearly 14,000 applications had been submitted by men, as per the PTI.
The government cross-checked beneficiary details using income tax, transport and ration card databases to determine eligibility, he added.
The Maharashtra government has halted payments to women found ineligible under the scheme as well as those who failed to complete the mandatory e-KYC process before the April 30 deadline, the news agency reported.
Officials said the beneficiary count has fallen from around 2.4 crore to nearly 1.7 crore following the verification exercise and compliance checks.
Fadnavis stated that the government would not seek recovery of funds already paid to women who were later found ineligible.
However, men who fraudulently availed benefits under the scheme will be required to return the money received, he said.
According to the PTI, while rejecting opposition allegations that the government was reducing beneficiaries due to financial constraints, Fadnavis reiterated that the scheme remains a priority welfare initiative.
"The Ladki Bahin scheme will never be shut down. It continues to be the largest welfare programme of its kind among Indian states and will remain operational," he said.
The scheme provides a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women from economically weaker sections across Maharashtra.
Opposition parties have criticised the reduction in beneficiary numbers, claiming the government has removed women from the scheme because of an alleged financial crunch.
The government, however, maintains that the disqualifications were based on eligibility norms and non-compliance with e-KYC requirements rather than budgetary considerations.
(with PTI inputs)
