In a startling revelation, Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare announced that more than 2,200 government employees were wrongly receiving benefits under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, despite being ineligible. The scheme, launched by the Mahayuti government in August 2023 ahead of the upcoming 2024 Assembly elections, provides ₹1,500 monthly to eligible women aged 21 to 65. However, government employees are explicitly barred from availing this benefit.
Tatkare disclosed the irregularities in a post on X, stating that out of nearly 2 lakh applications scrutinised so far, 2,289 government employees were flagged and subsequently denied the scheme’s benefits. She asserted that verification of applicants would be an ongoing process to ensure only deserving beneficiaries receive support.
The revelation adds fuel to an ongoing debate about the sustainability and implementation of the welfare scheme. While Mahayuti leaders credit the scheme for their strong electoral performance, they have also acknowledged its significant financial burden on the state exchequer. The government’s swift action in identifying fraudulent claims signals an effort to restore integrity to the scheme and safeguard public funds.
