Officials stated that out of a total of 2.43 crore accounts, nearly 68 lakh were deactivated due to non-compliance, bringing the number of active beneficiaries down to approximately 1.75 crore
Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched by the Mahayuti govt ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. File Pic
Around 68 lakh beneficiary accounts under the Maharashtra government’s flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana have been closed after failing to complete the mandatory e-KYC process within the stipulated deadline, officials confirmed on Wednesday, reported the PTI.
Officials stated that out of a total of 2.43 crore accounts, nearly 68 lakh were deactivated due to non-compliance, bringing the number of active beneficiaries down to approximately 1.75 crore. However, the deadline for completing e-KYC, which expired on March 31, has now been extended until April 30, and authorities indicated that the number of closed accounts may change following this extension, the news agency reported.
The verification exercise was initiated after complaints surfaced that ineligible individuals—including male members and government employees—had been receiving benefits under the scheme, officials said.
The initiative provides a monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,500 to eligible women from economically weaker sections.
Financial implications for state budget
The Maharashtra government currently disburses around Rs 3,700 crore each month under the scheme, the officials stated.
With a reduction in the number of active beneficiaries, the overall expenditure is expected to be revised.
The budget allocation for the scheme in 2026-27 stands at Rs 26,000 crore, compared to Rs 36,000 crore in the previous financial year.
Errors in verification process identified
According to the PTI, during the verification process, more than 24 lakh beneficiaries were initially flagged as government employees due to a Marathi-language question that led to incorrect responses. Following scrutiny, around 20 lakh of these accounts were found to be eligible, while verification of the remaining cases is still underway.
The e-KYC process has been extended multiple times since November 2025, as per the PTI.
No recovery from ineligible beneficiaries
The Maharashtra government had previously clarified that it will not recover funds from individuals later found to be ineligible. Both Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde have assured that the scheme will not be discontinued.
The Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched by the Mahayuti government ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections as a key welfare initiative aimed at supporting women across state financially.
(with PTI inputs)
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