Govt to recover money from 65L ineligible Ladki Bahin beneficiaries

Applicants submit Ladki Bahin Yojana forms at an anganwadi in Kasarwadi, Dadar, on October 15, 2024. FILE PIC/ASHISH RAJE

After the April 30 e-KYC deadline, the Ladki Bahin scheme has gone through a major clean-up, sharply reducing its beneficiary base. From an initial 2.46 crore women enrolled at launch in mid-2024, nearly 65 lakh have been removed after verification, bringing the total down to around 1.81 crore.

The scheme

Launched in 2024 ahead of the Assembly elections, the Ladki Bahin scheme promised Rs 1500 per month to women from economically weaker sections, quickly becoming one of the state's most high-profile welfare programmes.

The scrutiny

Following reports that ineligible beneficiaries had availed of the scheme, the state government launched a verification drive in 2025. The process was extended multiple times since November 2025, with several deadlines coming and going. However, the government made it clear that April 30 will be the final cut-off, signalling an end to extensions and a stricter approach going forward.

The budget

When the scheme was first announced, the government had estimated an annual outlay of around Rs 45,000 crore for its flagship programme. However, this was revised downward in subsequent budgets, reduced to Rs 36,000 crore in the 2025 state budget and scaled down further in the 2026 budget, reflecting a tighter, more scrutinised rollout of the scheme.

Recovery goal

With nearly 65 lakh beneficiaries identified after the clean-up, government officials now say the next goal is to recover money from ineligible recipients, if not fully, then at least wherever possible.

Payment on hold

Since the verification process was underway, instalment payments for March and April are yet to be released. With May now underway, a section of Mantralya officials believe that it is likely that the government may clear two or even three months' instalments together, either by the end of May or in June.