81 Lakh Women Removed from Ladki Bahin Scheme After e-KYC Verification, Says Minister; Opposition Alleges Irregularities

Government Cites e-KYC Verification

The Maharashtra government stated that around 81 lakh women were excluded from the Ladki Bahin Scheme after the completion of electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification.

According to the minister, the verification drive was undertaken to identify ineligible or duplicate beneficiaries and improve the accuracy of the beneficiary database.

Purpose of the Exercise

The government said the e-KYC process aimed to:

• Verify beneficiary identities.

• Eliminate duplicate registrations.

• Remove ineligible applicants.

• Ensure welfare benefits reach eligible recipients.

• Improve transparency in scheme implementation.

Opposition Raises Questions

Opposition parties have questioned the large number of beneficiaries removed from the scheme.

They alleged that the verification process may have contained irregularities and demanded:

• A detailed explanation for the exclusions.

• Greater transparency in the verification process.

• A review of cases where eligible women may have been removed.

• Safeguards to protect genuine beneficiaries.

Government's Stand

The government has maintained that the exercise was conducted in accordance with established verification procedures and was necessary to prevent misuse of public funds.

Officials have indicated that eligible beneficiaries who face genuine issues with verification may be able to approach the concerned authorities for redressal, subject to the scheme's rules.

Political Significance

The Ladki Bahin Scheme is one of Maharashtra's major welfare initiatives aimed at providing financial assistance to eligible women.

Given its wide reach, changes to the beneficiary list have become a significant political issue, with both the ruling coalition and the Opposition presenting differing interpretations of the verification results.

Looking Ahead

The government is expected to continue reviewing beneficiary records, while the Opposition is likely to press for further scrutiny of the e-KYC process.

Any additional policy changes or corrective measures will depend on administrative reviews and future government decisions.