Maharashtra Minister of Women and Child Development, Aditi Tatkare, stated that no beneficiary applications have been rejected under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. She mentioned that applications not meeting age and income criteria were flagged by relevant departments. Additionally, those with vehicle registrations and existing benefits from other schemes were also identified.
Tatkare addressed media reports alleging exclusion of around 80 lakh women from the scheme, leading to debates in Maharashtra. Following the e-KYC deadline, active beneficiaries decreased from 2.46 crore to approximately 1.66 crore. She assured that applicants with suspended benefits for incomplete e-KYC would undergo re-verification.
Emphasizing the commitment of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and others, Tatkare assured that no deserving woman in Maharashtra would face injustice. Opposition leaders criticized the government for the reported exclusions. NCP (SP) working president Supriya Sule urged the government to prevent eligible women from being deprived due to technical issues.
Sule highlighted that initially, 2.38 crore women benefited from the scheme, with Rs 17,505 crore distributed by December 2024. However, the number declined post mandatory e-KYC, with only 1.12 crore applications and 1.06 crore approvals. She called for a high-level inquiry and independent audit of the scheme to ensure transparency.
Congress Legislature Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also condemned the government, expressing concern over the exclusion of 80 lakh women from the Ladki Bahin scheme. He warned that the government’s credibility could suffer due to the discontent among these women.
