More than 14,000 men have fraudulently registered under the Maharashtra government's Ladki Bahin scheme. This has resulted in a loss of INR 21.44 crore in 10 months.
Launched to help women between the ages of 21 and 65, the scheme has contributed significantly to the Mahayuti alliance's electoral success. But it is being criticized for its burden on the state's finances.
An investigation by the Women and Child Development Department found that 14,298 men misrepresented their identities to get funds, leading to their payments being suspended.
Currently, the state is spending INR 3,700 crore to help 24.1 million beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin scheme. The department's report shows that the state incurred a loss of INR 1,640 crore last year.
This includes women from families with four-wheelers and beneficiaries who are above the eligible age limit. Moreover, an estimated 7,97,000 cases were reported where women were third-family members availing the scheme, leading to an additional expenditure of INR 1,196 crore.
Officials admitted that the shocking number of ineligible beneficiaries was due to the online application process and stressed the need for physical verification to prevent fraud. The department is collaborating with the Income Tax Department to confirm income eligibility. This is because only women with an annual income of up to INR 2.5 lakh are eligible for the scheme.
The Ladki Bahin scheme, which was launched in August 2024 during the elections, will resume benefits to eligible applicants after verification. But strict action will be taken against those who mislead the government.
Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stressed that the scheme is only for women.
NCP (Sharad Pawar) MP Supriya Sule demanded a CBI investigation into how the male applicants were enrolled and received benefits under the scheme.
Share
Tweet
