Mumbai, Nov 17 (NationPress) The government of Maharashtra announced on Monday that it is extending the deadline for the e-KYC process related to the Ladki Bahin Yojana to December 31 of this year. This decision aims to support beneficiaries who have been affected by recent challenges.

The previous deadline of November 18 has been postponed due to significant disruptions caused by natural disasters and technical issues affecting women in various districts.

This extension was confirmed by Aditi Tatkare, the Minister for Women & Child Development.

Minister Tatkare mentioned that the e-KYC verification process under this women-focused initiative is seeing rapid progress across the state.

However, many regions recently experienced severe natural calamities that led to the destruction of homes, communication infrastructures, and important documents, making it difficult for numerous families to fulfill essential requirements.

A large number of women have reported challenges in receiving the necessary OTPs for Aadhaar-based verification, especially when their Aadhaar-linked mobile numbers belonged to deceased husbands or fathers.

“In many cases, it became impossible to complete the e-KYC before the earlier deadline,” the Minister remarked.

“In light of these genuine difficulties, the Government deemed it essential to extend the timeline.”

This decision followed a thorough review of the on-ground challenges. Officials emphasized that the leadership was determined that no eligible woman should be deprived of benefits due to technical or unavoidable circumstances.

“The new deadline offers crucial relief, ensuring that lakhs of women can complete the verification process effortlessly, thus securing their ongoing access to the advantages of the Ladki Bahin Yojana,” stated Minister Tatkare.

The government has also provided clarity on documentation for women who may encounter OTP-related obstacles. Women whose husbands or fathers have passed away will need to complete their own e-KYC and submit a certified copy of the respective death certificate.

Divorced women must present a divorce certificate or court order to validate their eligibility. This initiative aims to guarantee precise verification while accommodating those facing distinct personal circumstances, as outlined in a statement from Minister Tatkare’s office.

Reiterating the Government’s dedication to women’s welfare, Minister Tatkare asserted, “Our priority is that every eligible woman receives justice. No beneficiary should miss out on the scheme due to technical issues, document loss, or circumstances beyond their control.”

She further urged beneficiaries to finish their e-KYC within the extended timeframe to prevent last-minute complications.