Maharashtra Government To Re-Verify 1% Of Ladki Bahin Applications
Maharashtra Government To Re-Verify 1% Of Ladki Bahin Applications
The Maharashtra government has announced plans to re-check nearly 1% of all Ladki Bahin applications, following the formation of the new government. This move aims to ensure that only genuine beneficiaries receive the benefits, weeding out any discrepancies or fraudulent claims.
According to a senior official from the Woman and Child Development (WCD) department, the state has 2.5 crore beneficiaries, and a random audit of applications will be conducted to verify the information provided. The official stated that the process will begin with checking 1% of all applications, followed by stage-wise sample checks.
The re-verification process is expected to be completed before the December roll-out, as the government plans to announce the revised monthly amount from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 soon. The state government has allocated Rs 36,000 crore for the scheme and will require additional funds for the increased amount, which will be released through a special supplementary budget.
The re-verification process will involve a multi-layered verification system, including multiple government agencies. Field officers will conduct door-to-door surveys, while specialised teams will cross-refer beneficiary data with various government data, including voters’ lists and Aadhaar-linked records. Income tax certificates, retirement pension details, and vehicle ownership records will also be examined during the process.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme mandate a maximum annual family income of Rs 2.5 lakh, with restrictions on land ownership capped at five acres. The scheme limits benefits to two women per family, and allegations of multiple claims within households will have to be addressed. The re-verification process is expected to take several weeks, potentially affecting the regular payment schedule.
