Close to 4,000 Ineligible Women Withdraw from Ladki Bahin Yojana: Maharashtra Minister

Shirdi, Jan 18 (NationPress) While the ongoing verification initiative aimed at eliminating ineligible women from benefiting under the Ladki Bahin Yojana is not yet concluded, approximately 4,000 women from various parts of Maharashtra have opted to withdraw from the program.

These women have begun returning the benefits to the corresponding district administration, as stated by Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare on Saturday during the NCP's two-day 'Sankalp Shibir' event held in Shirdi.

Minister Tatkare remarked, "Several women who received the monthly assistance from June to December under the Ladki Bahin Yojana have initiated the process of returning these benefits. Applications were submitted last month, and the administration is witnessing an increase in applications this month as well. Understanding their ineligibility, women are opting out of the program by submitting their applications. This exemplifies the integrity of our beloved sisters," said Aditi Tatkare.

This announcement follows her previous statement about the government's approval to disburse Rs 3,690 crore for the monthly aid of Rs 1,500 to 2.46 crore beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin Yojana ahead of Republic Day.

"To date, 4,000 women beneficiaries have returned the financial assistance they obtained through the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Nonetheless, this number remains an estimate. Approximately 100-150 applications were received in December, with more incoming in January. The funds returned by these women will be added back into the government treasury, with a distinct refund head established to ensure these funds are used for public welfare," explained the minister.

Sources from the department indicated that women are stepping forward to discontinue their benefits due to fears of potential recovery of funds along with penalties if deemed ineligible during the verification process.

The minister further outlined, "Except for women beneficiaries possessing yellow and orange ration cards, the applications from all other women will undergo scrutiny. We are enlisting assistance from the Transport and Income Tax departments for this ongoing process, which may lead to fluctuating numbers of women retracting their applications."

The Mahayuti government introduced the MukhyaMantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in July of the previous year. Around 2.63 lakh women across the state applied, with approximately 2.46 crore qualifying for the monthly assistance of Rs 1,500.

During the implementation phase, the government recognized that some ineligible women had also benefited. Following multiple complaints across various districts, the government initiated a verification of the applications.

Recently, the minister declared that the state government is not conducting a broad scrutiny of the beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

"We have not altered any governmental policies. Our focus is solely on addressing the complaints lodged at local government offices," added Aditi Tatkare.

She further clarified, "No application will undergo general scrutiny. Applications will only be examined upon receiving complaints. If there’s a documented increase in income exceeding Rs 2.5 lakh, or if a woman owns a four-wheeler or has entered into an interstate marriage, she will be deemed ineligible. Additionally, discrepancies between names on the Aadhaar card and bank details, if reported, will also result in disqualification," she stated.

According to Aditi Tatkare, the Women and Child Welfare Department has received five categories of complaints regarding the Ladki Bahin Yojana.

"We will verify these complaints. Some have originated from local administration, while other beneficiary women have directly communicated their ineligibility for the scheme. Applications linked to received complaints will be examined, but the original governmental resolution will remain unchanged," she concluded.