Ladki Bahin Yojana: The Maharashtra government’s ‘Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana’ underwent a thorough verification process, resulting in the removal of approximately 92 lakh women from the list of beneficiaries, which accounts for about 38% of the total beneficiaries. The initial count of beneficiaries stood at around 2.43 crore, but post-verification, it was reduced to about 1.5 crore, as reported by ‘The Indian Express’.
During the verification drive that commenced in September 2025, it was discovered that a significant number of names were eliminated mainly due to the non-completion of the mandatory eKYC process. The key findings from the report include:
– Approximately 62 lakh women were excluded for failing to complete eKYC, constituting about 67% of the total removed beneficiaries.
– Various other reasons surfaced during the verification process, leading to the disqualification of beneficiaries:
– 16 lakh families exceeded the annual income limit of Rs 2.5 lakh.
– 4.42 lakh women or their family members were government employees.
– 3.6 lakh individuals were already benefiting from the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana.
– In 2.5 lakh cases, more than two family members were availing benefits.
– 1.8 lakh women were over 65 years old.
– Irregularities were found in 1.7 lakh cases at the district level.
– Additionally, around 29 thousand men and 8 thousand government employees were found to be wrongfully receiving benefits.
The ‘Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana’ was introduced by the Maharashtra government before the 2024 assembly elections with the following provisions:
– Women aged 21 to 65 years with a family income below Rs 2.5 lakh annually receive Rs 1,500 per month directly into their bank accounts.
– Ineligible categories include government employees, income tax payers, and beneficiaries of other government schemes.
– The removed beneficiaries had already received approximately Rs 14,000 crore in assistance over an average of 10 months.
Delays in the eKYC process were attributed to the scheme’s launch in June 2024 and subsequent interruptions due to the assembly elections and model code of conduct. The eKYC campaign began in August 2025, with a final deadline extension until December 31, 2025, to allow beneficiaries to complete the process to avoid payment disruptions.
Will the money be withdrawn?
Regarding this, an official said that the government will not take back the money from most of the beneficiaries.
He clarified that the amount would be recovered only from male beneficiaries and government employees, and no recovery would be made from other women. According to Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, the Chief Minister has announced in the Assembly that only ineligible men and government employees will be subject to recovery (under the Revenue Recovery Mechanism). There will be no recovery from other ordinary women.
However, in its earlier reply in the Assembly, the government had also informed about starting the process of recovery from ineligible beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report has also raised questions on the financial management of the scheme. According to the report-
Rs 33,237.24 crore was spent on the scheme.
Whereas the approved budget was Rs 29,693.09 crore.
That means an additional expenditure of Rs 3,541.16 crore was incurred.
The CAG also said that huge amounts were withdrawn but kept in deposit accounts instead of spending them immediately, which is against financial discipline.
The budget of the scheme was also reduced
The Maharashtra government has reduced the budget for the Ladki Behen Yojana from Rs 36,000 crore to Rs 26,500 crore for the financial year 2026-27. This means the scheme’s budget has been cut by Rs 9,500 crore (about 26%). Meanwhile, during the elections, the Mahayuti alliance promised to increase the monthly allowance for women from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100. However, this has not yet been implemented. To provide Rs 2,100 per month to existing beneficiaries, the government would need approximately Rs 37,800 crore, significantly exceeding the current budget.