Maharashtra CM Confirms Continuation of Ladki Bahin Yojana

Mumbai, Feb 12 (NationPress) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis declared on Wednesday that the state government will continue the ambitious Ladki Bahin Yojana, which has been providing monthly financial support of Rs 1,500 to eligible women since July of the previous year.

He acknowledged that the fiscal capacity has been constrained due to the Rs 46,000 crore burden in the state budget related to the implementation of the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Nevertheless, he affirmed that the government has no intention of discontinuing the scheme in the future.

“I instructed the officials to conduct a reverse analysis regarding the necessary investments for our advancement. We need to determine what can be achieved. If there is a deficit of Rs 25,000 crore, we should consider whether the government can generate that funding through various schemes. We are actively exploring this option and expect to secure funds from other initiatives,” he mentioned.

He further emphasized that “we do not want to compromise on capital expenditure due to the increasing revenue deficit.”

Fadnavis also clarified that the government will not reclaim the funds already disbursed to women who have been deemed ineligible under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

Approximately five lakh women have been dropped from the scheme as they no longer meet the eligibility criteria.

“We will not terminate any scheme. We will evaluate the specifics of these initiatives. Numerous ineligible sisters have benefited from the Ladki Bahin Yojana. This number could range between 10 lakh and 15 lakh. Many of them have begun to discontinue their benefits from the scheme. We will cease benefits for those who are ineligible as we are accountable to the CAG. To prevent recurrence, those who are ineligible will no longer receive benefits from the Ladki Bahin Yojana. However, we will not demand the funds that have been previously received. That amount will remain theirs. Our commitment is that the funds should be allocated solely to eligible women beneficiaries,” he stated.

The Chief Minister's remarks follow the announcement by Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare on February 7, revealing that a historic five lakh women have been excluded from the flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana.

“Five lakh women deemed ineligible have been removed from the Ladki Bahin Yojana in accordance with government decisions issued on June 28, 2024, and July 3, 2024. The ineligible beneficiaries include beneficiaries of the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana - 2,30,000, women over 65 years - 1,10,000, and women beneficiaries of Namoshakti Yojana who own four-wheelers in the name of family members but voluntarily withdrew from the scheme - 1,60,000,” she explained.

The government's decision to exclude five lakh women beneficiaries from the Ladki Bahin Yojana is a result of a verification exercise initiated after receiving complaints regarding fraudulent beneficiaries of the scheme.

The government sought data from the Income Tax and Transport Departments for beneficiary verification.

Tatkare clarified that the government will only address complaints concerning fraudulent beneficiaries.

She stated that the impetus for initiating the verification process was complaints about potential fraudulent beneficiaries of the scheme.

According to her, around 4,500 women have opted out of the scheme following these concerns.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister reiterated that the government will not discontinue other schemes such as the MukhyaMantri Teerth Dardshan Yojana (Pilgrimage visit scheme) and Shiv Bhojan Yojana (providing meals at Rs 10 per plate).