More than 14,000 men have fraudulently availed benefits under Maharashtra’s Ladki Bahin Yojana, as per media reports.
Ladki Behan Yojana, introduced last year by the Government of Maharashtra, provides women aged 21 to 65 with a direct benefit transfer of Rs 1,500 to enhance their health and nutrition and to reinforce their important role within the family.
Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare, in a message on her X account on Saturday, revealed that data from the Information Technology Department indicated approximately 26.34 lakh beneficiaries who were ineligible have been receiving benefits under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.
“To identify all the eligible applicants under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Women and Child Development Department had sought information from all government departments. Accordingly, the Information and Technology Department has submitted that approximately 26.34 lakh beneficiaries, though ineligible, have been availing benefits under the Ladki Bahin Yojana,” Tatkare said.
Tatkare added that based on the IT department’s data, the benefits for these 26.34 lakh applicants have been temporarily suspended starting June 2025.
Minister Tatkare said that the government will thoroughly review the information of the 26.34 lakh suspended beneficiaries and will reinstate benefits only for those found eligible after scrutiny.
“The information of these temporarily suspended 26.34 lakh beneficiaries will be scrutinized by the respective District Collectors, and benefits will be reinstated by the government for those who are found eligible,” Tatkare said.
Minister Tatkare said the government will take suitable action against fraudulent beneficiaries after discussions with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
“Regarding the action to be taken against fraudulent beneficiaries who have misled the government and availed benefits through improper means, a suitable decision will be taken at the government level after discussions with the Honorable Chief Minister Shri. Devendraji Fadnavis Saheb, Deputy Chief Minister Shri. Eknathji Shinde Saheb, and Deputy Chief Minister Shri. Ajitdada Pawar,” Tatkare said.