The Maharashtra government has initiated a drive to remove ineligible beneficiaries from its flagship Ladki Behen scheme, following revelations that several individuals had availed benefits in violation of the scheme’s guidelines, including over 14,000 men.
The Ladki Behen scheme was launched to provide monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to women from families with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh. However, Finance Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday said that a large number of beneficiaries do not meet the eligibility criteria, and that corrective measures are now underway.
“Many women who were employed in government jobs have also received benefits under this scheme, despite not being eligible. As such names come to our notice, we are removing them,” said Pawar.
In a more shocking revelation, Pawar noted that more than 14,000 men have also taken advantage of the scheme, which was exclusively meant for women. “This scheme was never intended for men. Those who have received the money fraudulently will have to return it. If they fail to cooperate, we will take strict legal action against them,” he warned.
The finance minister clarified that the scheme is aimed at supporting poor women and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that only eligible beneficiaries continue to receive assistance. The recovery process is currently underway, and the state government is preparing to initiate action against those found guilty of misusing the scheme.
Officials have already started removing ineligible beneficiaries and are in the process of recovering funds disbursed wrongly. The government has appealed for cooperation from those who received the money in violation of the rules, failing which legal proceedings will be initiated.
