Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has alleged that the Mahayuti government removed 92.10 lakh beneficiaries from the flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana, sparking a political row over eligibility and e-KYC.

  • Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleges 92.10 lakh women removed from Ladki Bahin Yojana.
  • Beneficiary count reportedly dropped from 2.48 crore to 1.65 crore.
  • Reasons cited include e-KYC non-compliance and income criteria violations.
  • Wadettiwar questions the government's accountability and verification process.

In a massive political escalation in Maharashtra, senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has accused the BJP-led Mahayuti government of abandoning women beneficiaries of the flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Wadettiwar claimed that a staggering 92.10 lakh women have been removed from the scheme, alleging that the government used women for electoral gains and then turned its back on them.

Taking to 'X' (formerly Twitter), the Congress Legislature Party leader highlighted that a whistleblower activist brought this massive discrepancy to light. According to the allegations, the total number of beneficiaries plummeted from 2.48 crore to just 1.65 crore following the implementation of mandatory e-KYC and rigorous verification processes.

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Breakdown of the Removal Claims

Wadettiwar provided a detailed breakdown of why these women were reportedly excluded from the scheme. The alleged reasons for the exclusion include:

  • 62 lakh beneficiaries: Due to non-compliance with e-KYC requirements.
  • 16 lakh beneficiaries: For failing to meet the specified income criteria.
  • 4.42 lakh beneficiaries: Identified as government employees via e-KYC.
  • 2.5 lakh beneficiaries: Due to more than two women in a single household receiving benefits.
  • 1.8 lakh beneficiaries: Because they exceeded the age limit of 65 years.

The Congress leader further challenged the government's integrity, asking why authorities have not taken action to recover funds from the families of government employees who allegedly received benefits despite being ineligible.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this controversy strikes at the heart of Maharashtra's social welfare politics. The Ladki Bahin Yojana was a cornerstone of the Mahayuti government's strategy to secure the female vote ahead of the Assembly elections. Any perceived mass exclusion of beneficiaries could lead to significant political backlash and influence voter sentiment in upcoming polls.

The scale of this discrepancy suggests a potential systemic failure or a deliberate attempt to manipulate welfare data for political optics.

Launched in August 2024, the scheme provides Rs 1,500 per month to financially weaker women aged 21 to 65 via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). While the government maintains that the reduction is due to strict adherence to eligibility rules, the opposition views it as a betrayal of the state's most vulnerable citizens.

Did You Know?: The scheme was specifically designed to provide financial autonomy to women in Maharashtra's rural and urban poor sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the main reason for the drop in beneficiaries?
The government states the drop is due to incomplete e-KYC and failure to meet income/employment criteria, while Congress alleges political exclusion.

2. How much money does the Ladki Bahin Yojana provide?
Eligible women receive a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500 through direct bank transfers.