Maharashtra: ₹3.58 Crore Fraud In Ladki Bahin Yojana As 2,652 Beneficiaries Turn Out To Be Govt Employees
Maharashtra: ₹3.58 Crore Fraud In Ladki Bahin Yojana As 2,652 Beneficiaries Turn Out To Be Govt Employees
Mumbai, May 31, 2025: The Maharashtra government has uncovered a major misuse of the *Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana*, where 2,652 women employed in Class III and Class IV government posts illegally availed financial benefits meant exclusively for economically disadvantaged women.
The welfare scheme, launched in 2024 ahead of the state assembly elections by the Mahayuti government, offers a monthly assistance of ₹1,500 to eligible women. However, the policy explicitly bars government employees from receiving this aid. Despite this, between August 2024 and April 2025, a significant number of ineligible women staff members received ₹13,500 each by circumventing the eligibility norms.
The General Administration Department (GAD) had earlier provided a database of approximately 1.6 lakh employees to the Information Technology Department. Using UID-based verification, authorities identified that 2,652 ineligible women employees had withdrawn funds under the scheme.
This discovery emerged as part of a wider verification campaign. So far, about 1.2 lakh employees have undergone scrutiny, with nearly 6 lakh still pending review. In a related move, the government had already suspended payments to 7.7 lakh beneficiaries in February 2025 who were simultaneously receiving aid from both the *Ladki Bahin* and *Namo Shetkari* schemes.
According to administrative sources, the state plans to initiate recovery proceedings, with formal instructions expected to be issued to relevant departments. The amount wrongly drawn is estimated at ₹3.58 crore.
Officials emphasized the gravity of the violation, pointing out that these employees not only breached scheme rules but also went against the conduct expected of public servants. Disciplinary actions, including assistance from anti-corruption and vigilance departments, are likely to follow.
The government has urged all ineligible recipients to return the funds voluntarily to avoid punitive action. Meanwhile, the incident has triggered calls for tighter digital safeguards, stricter eligibility checks, and enhanced monitoring to protect the integrity of public welfare programs.
