Daijiworld Media Network - Nagpur
Nagpur, Dec 9: Maharashtra Women and Child Welfare minister Aditi Tatkare informed the state council that the government has launched stringent action against thousands of ineligible individuals — including government employees — who fraudulently availed benefits under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The crackdown has triggered large-scale recovery proceedings and disciplinary measures across departments.
Tatkare said the state has begun recovering funds from ineligible and fraudulent beneficiaries as well as from officials whose negligence or complicity enabled wrongful approvals. Those found responsible will be penalised under the Maharashtra Civil Services Rules.
The Ladki Bahin Yojana, which provides a monthly direct benefit transfer (DBT) of Rs 1,500 to eligible women, came under scrutiny after widespread misuse surfaced. A detailed investigation revealed that around 26.85 lakh women were either ineligible or had wrongfully claimed benefits, resulting in an undue payout of Rs 1,189 crore.
Additionally, 10,956 government employees were found to have illegally taken advantage of the scheme, collectively receiving Rs 18.57 crore. The respective departments have been directed to initiate formal recovery proceedings.
Tatkare clarified that beneficiaries who voluntarily discontinued or became ineligible for the scheme due to changed circumstances will not be asked to return the assistance received earlier. The state has also revised the scheme’s terms and strengthened monitoring mechanisms after raising the DBT amount from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500.
Meanwhile, political tensions surrounding the scheme spilled into the Assembly. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sternly warned legislators — including those from the ruling BJP — against invoking the Ladki Bahin Yojana while discussing unrelated issues during Question Hour.
Visibly irritated, Fadnavis told MLAs that misusing the scheme’s name for political point-scoring was unacceptable. His warning came after BJP MLA Abhimanyu Pawar referenced the scheme while raising a complaint on illegal liquor distribution, and a day after Congress MLA Jyoti Gaikwad brought it up during a debate on a doctor’s death in Phaltan.
Calling the Ladki Bahin Yojana a flagship welfare initiative, Fadnavis said it should not be dragged into unrelated debates for rhetoric. “This scheme will continue. It does not take away resources from any other programme. But unnecessary remarks must stop,” he asserted.