Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Feb 19: The number of beneficiaries under Maharashtra’s Mukhya Mantri Majhi Laadki Bahin Yojana has reportedly declined sharply following the introduction of mandatory eKYC verification, according to a report in The Times of India.
Officials said the number of women who received the December 2025 payout fell by around 86 lakh compared to earlier figures. The Mahayuti government comprising the BJP, NCP (Ajit Pawar faction) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) had earlier listed over 2.4 crore women as beneficiaries of the flagship scheme.
However, only around 1.6 crore women received the December 2025 stipend, which was credited in mid-January, marking a drop of 86 lakh beneficiaries from the previously listed total.
Officials further stated that the number of beneficiaries under consideration reduced by nearly 55 lakh. Of the 2.4 crore listed beneficiaries, about 1.9 crore women submitted their eKYC documents between September 2025 and the deadline of December 31, 2025. Among them, nearly 1.6 crore women whose eKYC details were found correct received the December payout.
Authorities have allowed corrections in submitted eKYC forms through an online portal until March 31.
Reason for decline
According to officials cited in the report, many women filled the eKYC form incorrectly due to a confusingly worded question containing a double negative. The question reportedly read: “No one in your family works for the government, right?”
Several applicants who did not have any family members in government service mistakenly answered “Yes” instead of selecting “No,” which affected their eligibility status.
Beneficiaries also reportedly faced delays in receiving the January stipend of Rs 1,500, which had not been credited until February 18. Officials attributed the delay to pending fund transfers from various departments involved in disbursal. A senior official stated that funds are released by the finance department through multiple departments, and transfers routed through the social welfare department often take additional time.
About the scheme
The Mukhya Mantri Majhi Laadki Bahin Yojana was launched in July 2024 to provide financial assistance of Rs 1,500 per month to economically weaker women aged between 18 and 65 years, with an annual family income below Rs 2.5 lakh and belonging to Maharashtra.
The scheme played a significant role in the Mahayuti alliance’s return to power in the 2024 state assembly elections.
After the elections, the Maharashtra government began reviewing the scheme to weed out ineligible beneficiaries amid concerns over mounting financial pressure due to pre-poll welfare spending. Beneficiaries were screened based on income limits, domicile status and other criteria. Women owning four-wheelers or holding government jobs were excluded.
During the last budget, Maharashtra’s total debt reportedly touched around Rs 9.3 lakh crore. With the next budget scheduled in March, officials indicated that spending may be tightened, potentially impacting the implementation of welfare schemes.