Over 80 lakh women in Maharashtra have been deemed ineligible for the state government's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme, sparking allegations from the Opposition that the move is driven by a financial crisis. A senior official on Monday clarified that the beneficiary count has dropped from 2.4 crore to nearly 1.7 crore after the April 30 e-KYC deadline, but emphasized that disqualifications were primarily due to non-compliance with eligibility criteria.
Details of the Scheme and Disqualifications
The Ladki Bahin scheme, launched by the Maharashtra government, provides financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections. Under the scheme, eligible women receive monthly direct benefit transfers to their bank accounts. However, the recent e-KYC verification process led to a significant reduction in beneficiaries.
According to the official, the drop from 2.4 crore to 1.7 crore beneficiaries is not solely due to missed deadlines. Many women were found ineligible because they did not meet the scheme's requirements, such as income thresholds, residency proofs, or family status criteria. The official stated, 'The e-KYC deadline was extended multiple times, and those who failed to comply or were ineligible were removed from the list.'
Opposition's Allegations
The Opposition, led by the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has accused the government of deliberately reducing the beneficiary list to mask a financial crunch. They argue that the state's fiscal situation has worsened, forcing the government to cut welfare spending. Opposition leaders have demanded a detailed explanation and restoration of benefits to all previously enrolled women.
Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, however, dismissed these allegations, stating that the scheme remains fully funded and that the disqualifications were based on transparent criteria. He added that the government is committed to supporting eligible women and has set up grievance redressal mechanisms for those affected.
Impact on Beneficiaries
The exclusion of 80 lakh women has caused distress among families reliant on the scheme's financial support. Many affected women have approached local authorities seeking reinstatement. Social activists have called for a review of the eligibility criteria and a more inclusive approach to avoid excluding genuine beneficiaries.
Data from the state's women and child development department indicates that the scheme initially covered approximately 2.4 crore women when launched in 2024. The recent culling has brought the number down to 1.7 crore, with officials stating that further verification may reveal additional ineligible cases.
Way Forward
The government has announced a special drive to address grievances and allow women who missed the e-KYC deadline to complete the process. Additionally, a committee has been formed to review the eligibility criteria and suggest modifications to ensure that only genuinely needy women are included. The Opposition remains skeptical, accusing the government of using technicalities to shrink the scheme's scope.
As the political debate intensifies, the fate of 80 lakh women hangs in balance. The state government is expected to present a detailed report in the upcoming assembly session to clarify the situation.
