Unfolded Scandal in the Maharashtra Ladki Bahin Yojana: The Collapse of a Promised Societal Aid Program?
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, a flagship social welfare scheme launched in August 2024 to empower low-income women in Maharashtra, has been embroiled in a significant financial scandal. The scheme, which aimed to improve the health, nutrition, and welfare of eligible women aged 21-65 by disbursing a monthly Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of Rs 1,500, has seen over 14,000 men fraudulently claim benefits meant exclusively for women, along with about 26.34 lakh (2.63 million) ineligible beneficiaries receiving funds[1][4].
The fraud was initially uncovered when the Women and Child Development Department, led by Minister Aditi Tatkare, collaborated with the state IT department to cross-verify eligibility across government databases. This verification exposed beneficiaries exploiting the scheme through identity fraud, multiple enrolments, and other irregularities[1][4]. As a result, payments to the ineligible accounts were suspended starting June 2025, and district collectors were tasked with detailed reviews for validity[4].
The fraud resulted in a direct financial loss of approximately Rs 21.44 crore (214 million rupees) to the state over a period of 10 months, through wrongful disbursals[1][3]. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MP Supriya Sule has alleged that the total scam could be worth Rs 4,800 crore, demanding a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and a white paper stating a full audit of the program’s management and digital verification failures[2][5].
The Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, has confirmed the fraud and stated that recovery proceedings have begun. Strict action will be taken against the 14,298 men involved in the fraudulent claims[1]. The scandal has raised serious concerns about systemic mismanagement, lax verification protocols despite mandatory Aadhaar and bank details, and the immense financial burden placed on the state's resources due to these irregularities[2][3].
The controversy surrounding the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has sparked intense political debate, with demands for thorough investigations and corrective measures. As the government tightens scrutiny measures and audits the back-end systems to prevent similar lapses in the future, the future of this welfare scheme remains uncertain.
References:
[1] The Indian Express. (2025, June 20). Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: 14,000 men fraudulently claimed benefits meant exclusively for women. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/mukhyamantri-majhi-ladki-bahin-yojana-14000-men-fraudulently-claimed-benefits-meant-exclusively-for-women-7881838/
[2] The Times of India. (2025, June 21). Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: NCP MP Supriya Sule demands SIT probe. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/mukhyamantri-majhi-ladki-bahin-yojana-ncp-mp-supriya-sule-demands-sit-probe/articleshow/90543469.cms
[3] The Hindu. (2025, June 22). Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: Concerns over systemic mismanagement and financial burden. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/mukhyamantri-majhi-ladki-bahin-yojana-concerns-over-systemic-mismanagement-and-financial-burden/article31014164.ece
[4] The New Indian Express. (2025, June 23). Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: Over 26 lakh women were receiving benefits despite being ineligible. Retrieved from https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/maharashtra/2025/jun/23/mukhyamantri-majhi-ladki-bahin-yojana-over-26-lakh-women-were-receiving-benefits-despite-being-ineligible-2382466.html
[5] Deccan Chronicle. (2025, June 24). Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana: Political outrage and demands for transparency. Retrieved from https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/240625/mukhyamantri-majhi-ladki-bahin-yojana-political-outrage-and-demands-for-transparency.html
- The financial scandal surrounding the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has drawn attention not just in the realm of politics, but also in the general-news sphere, as it highlights systemic mismanagement and lax verification protocols.
- As the investigation unfolds, various business and finance analysts have weighed in, expressing concerns about the potential impact on government-funded welfare programs and the public's trust in such initiatives.
- In light of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana controversy, calls for reforms in education-and-self-development programs have escalated, emphasizing the need for improved verification systems and digital literacy to curb similar instances of fraud in the future.
