Mumbai

Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday assured that the Maharashtra government's flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme will not be discontinued, despite the removal of a large number of beneficiaries following a verification drive.

Addressing reporters ahead of the state cabinet meeting, Fadnavis said around 1.70 crore eligible women would continue to receive the monthly assistance under the scheme.

"The scheme will never be shut down. Even today, it is the largest welfare scheme of its kind among states in the country, and it will continue," he said.

Why were beneficiaries removed?

The chief minister said that when the scheme was launched, applicants were allowed to self-certify their eligibility because many women did not have sufficient time to submit supporting documents.

Subsequent verification, conducted as part of the government's audit and compliance process, uncovered several irregularities, including:

• Women from families of government employees receiving benefits despite being ineligible.
• Around 14,000 men allegedly applying under the scheme.
• Other discrepancies in beneficiary records.

According to Fadnavis, nearly 10 lakh beneficiaries were found to have inconsistencies in their applications.

The government used data from income tax records, transport databases and ration card systems to verify eligibility.

Impact of e-KYC verification

Following the April 30 deadline for mandatory e-KYC verification, the number of beneficiaries declined from about 2.4 crore to nearly 1.7 crore.

Benefits have been stopped for:

• Ineligible applicants.
• Individuals who failed to complete e-KYC requirements.

However, Fadnavis clarified that women who received payments before being found ineligible would not be required to return the money.

"The only exception will be men who fraudulently obtained benefits under the scheme. They will have to refund the amount," he said.

Opposition criticism

Opposition parties have accused the government of removing beneficiaries because of a financial crunch and alleged that women had been "betrayed" after being promised support.

The government has rejected these allegations, maintaining that the verification exercise was aimed at ensuring that benefits reach only eligible recipients.

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The scheme provides a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 to eligible women and remains one of Maharashtra's largest welfare programmes.