The Maharashtra government is considering a proposal to monetise anonymised non-personal data of welfare scheme beneficiaries through its new digital platform Samanvay, which is set to launch on October 2, officials confirmed.
The database, termed Golden Data, will consolidate details of every beneficiary of state and central schemes, accessible via a unique Aadhaar-linked MahaID. Currently under trial, the system is designed to streamline welfare delivery, eliminate ineligible beneficiaries, and provide a single-window view of citizen entitlements.
A senior IT department official said that once the platform runs smoothly, the state may explore sharing anonymised data with private companies, start-ups, and financial institutions for market research. He clarified that no personal details would be revealed, aligning with central government data policies.
The Golden Data pool will include economic, social, and geographical details such as age, caste, education, income range, vehicles owned, and benefits availed. Income Tax and Vahan databases are also being integrated, with health records likely to follow.
Officials revealed that under the Ladki Bahin scheme—which provides ₹1,500 per month to women aged 18–65—lakhs of ineligible beneficiaries were flagged through the system, prompting physical verification by the women and child welfare department.
The government has not yet taken a final decision on monetisation but maintains the consolidated database will first serve to improve transparency and efficiency in welfare implementation.
