Latest news with #LadkiBahinYojana
Indian Express
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sena (UBT) to approach SC over allegations of corruption, election fraud
With the state government led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis openly admitting that 26.34 lakh ineligible beneficiaries have taken benefit of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Shiv Sena (UBT) on Wednesday said it will approach the Supreme Court to have the 2024 assembly election process cancelled while the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party said the Enforcement Directorate and the Election Commission of India should investigate the way the elections were conducted. On Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said,'Our Women and Child Welfare Minister has clearly stated that there are 26 lakh accounts which do not fit in the criteria of Ladki Bahin Yojana. There are men and even those who are taking advantage of other schemes. All these accounts have not been suspended. All these accounts will be verified. If these accounts are confirmed to be ineligible, then we will cancel them,' the Chief Minister said on Tuesday after the cabinet meeting. Last week, Minister for Women and Child Welfare Aditi Tatkare said,'We have temporarily suspended accounts of 26.34 lakh beneficiaries from June 2025. The eligibility of the suspended beneficiaries will be verified by officials of the respective district collectorates.' Reacting to the state government's admission of 26.34 lakh ineligible accounts, Sanjay Raut, spokesperson for the Shiv Sena (UBT) said, 'This is nothing but a big election fraud. The women voters were bribed to vote for the Mahayuti. The entire 2024 election process in Maharashtra should be cancelled. According to the Representative of People Act, 1951, this amounts to a corrupt practice. And therefore the Election Commission of India should not sit quiet when democratic norms have been violated. It should investigate how voters were bribed through Rs 1500 a month benefit. This is like offering them cash for every vote.' Raut said besides the ECI, the Enforcement Directorate is not moving into action quickly. 'When it comes to opposition leaders and allegations against them, it quickly targets them through raids. In this case, when the government itself has admitted that it paid money to voters before the elections, why is the ED not taking action. It should make those who started the scheme accused in the case,' he said. Raut said the Sena (UBT) was planning to approach the Supreme Court in this matter. 'Since there is an open admission of election fraud, we are planning to approach the Supreme Court. We are fully hopeful that the SC will take decisive action on our appeal,' he said. Atul Londhe, chief spokesperson of the Maharashtra Congress said, 'This is election fraud. Now where is the Enforcement Directorate? Why is the Election Commission of India watching as a spectator? Everything is in public domain, the government itself has brought to fore how 26.34 ineligible voters exercised their franchise. It is obvious that the government benefitted through this bribe offering. The question is, will the ED act on this election fraud or continue to shut its eyes and ears?' AAP spokesperson Mukund Kirdat said, 'Undoubtedly, Maharashtra has seen the biggest election fraud hitherto. The government indiscriminately distributed cash so that the women voters and their family members vote it back to power. The government was jittery as the Lok Sabha election results showed that voters wanted a change of rule in Maharashtra. And therefore it resorted to offering cash benefits to the voters.' Babu Nair, general secretary of Maharashtra Congress said, ''The Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched just three months before the 2024 elections. In those three months more than 2 crore women were given Rs 4500 cash benefits. It was clear during the election time that the government was indulging in corrupt practice. Yet the Election Commission of India kept quiet.' Nair said women who were earning over a lakh monthly salary, who owned cars and those who were paying income tax also benefitted under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. 'Because of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, funds availability for welfare of the poor has been affected. The Ministers themselves have admitted this situation.' Manoj More has been working with the Indian Express since 1992. For the first 16 years, he worked on the desk, edited stories, made pages, wrote special stories and handled The Indian Express edition. In 31 years of his career, he has regularly written stories on a range of topics, primarily on civic issues like state of roads, choked drains, garbage problems, inadequate transport facilities and the like. He has also written aggressively on local gondaism. He has primarily written civic stories from Pimpri-Chinchwad, Khadki, Maval and some parts of Pune. He has also covered stories from Kolhapur, Satara, Solapur, Sangli, Ahmednagar and Latur. He has had maximum impact stories from Pimpri-Chinchwad industrial city which he has covered extensively for the last three decades. Manoj More has written over 20,000 stories. 10,000 of which are byline stories. Most of the stories pertain to civic issues and political ones. The biggest achievement of his career is getting a nearly two kilometre road done on Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki in 2006. He wrote stories on the state of roads since 1997. In 10 years, nearly 200 two-wheeler riders had died in accidents due to the pathetic state of the road. The local cantonment board could not get the road redone as it lacked funds. The then PMC commissioner Pravin Pardeshi took the initiative, went out of his way and made the Khadki road by spending Rs 23 crore from JNNURM Funds. In the next 10 years after the road was made by the PMC, less than 10 citizens had died, effectively saving more than 100 lives. Manoj More's campaign against tree cutting on Pune-Mumbai highway in 1999 and Pune-Nashik highway in 2004 saved 2000 trees. During Covid, over 50 doctors were asked to pay Rs 30 lakh each for getting a job with PCMC. The PCMC administration alerted Manoj More who did a story on the subject, asking then corporators how much money they story worked as doctors got the job without paying a single paisa. Manoj More has also covered the "Latur drought" situation in 2015 when a "Latur water train" created quite a buzz in Maharashtra. He also covered the Malin tragedy where over 150 villagers had died. Manoj More is on Facebook with 4.9k followers (Manoj More), on twitter manojmore91982 ... Read More
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Wait for verified Ladki Bahin figures, says Tatkare
MUMBAI: State women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare is scrambling to contain the damage caused by a government report, which revealed that 26.34 lakh individuals enrolled under the flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana were ineligible for the scheme's monthly payout. Wait for verified Ladki Bahin figures, says Tatkare Tatkare told the media after the cabinet meeting on Tuesday that her department, which implements the scheme, would get details of these beneficiaries cross-verified before confirming exactly how many were ineligible. 'After verification from the district collectors' office, some of these 26.34 lakh beneficiaries may turn eligible,' the minister said. She went on to say, 'We have started scrutiny to ensure the Ladki Bahin scheme is not misused. The women and child development department has also sought reports from the income tax department, transport department and food and civil supplies department on the 26.34 lakh beneficiaries in question. Only after we receive these reports will we be able to assess the actual number of ineligible beneficiaries.' Tatkare added that payments to these 26.34 lakh individuals had been stopped, and about 2.25 crore beneficiaries were eligible as of now. Controversy broke out last week, when a report from the state information and technology department revealed that 26.34 lakh individuals who had been receiving the ₹1,500 monthly payout were not eligible for the direct cash benefit. The report also revealed that 14,298 men had enrolled under the scheme, meant exclusively for women from lower socio-economic groups. They had been receiving the direct cash benefit for ten months. Tatkare, in damage-control mode said on Tuesday, 'During the verification process, administrative officials will check the 14,298 male beneficiaries. Some of these men probably enrolled under the scheme and uploaded their own identity documents as their wives did not have bank accounts. We are cross-checking, which is a very important step,' the minister said. Last week's report on ineligible beneficiaries revealed another damaging detail – that women class three and four government employees too had been receiving the monthly payout. State chief secretary Rajesh Kumar has since directed all government departments to recover the money from these employees and also take disciplinary action against them. Meanwhile, NCP (SP) MP Supritya Sule slammed the Mahayuti government, saying that the 26.34 lakh ineligible beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which earned the Mahayuti alliance critical electoral gains last year, entailed a 'fraud' of ₹4,800 crore. She also demanded an investigation, saying it was a colossal waste of taxpayers' money. Responding to Sule, Tatkare said the opposition's allegation is based on media reports. Details of the ineligible beneficiaries are being verified, said Tatkare.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
26.3 lakh ineligible women received monthly payout under Ladki Bahin scheme in Maharashtra, reveals women and child welfare minister Aditi Tatkare
Mumbai: State women and child welfare minister Aditi Tatkare revealed that as many as 26.3 lakh ineligible women received the stipend meant for underprivileged women under the state's flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. The ineligible beneficiaries have now been suspended. The revelation comes shortly after reports that 14,298 men fraudulently received the Rs 1,500 per month stipend, causing a loss of Rs 21.4 crore to the state exchequer. In a statement on X, Tatkare said that her department undertook a scrutiny of the scheme by seeking information from all govt departments. The IT department reported that approximately 26.3 lakh beneficiaries availed of the benefits despite being ineligible. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "It has been found that some beneficiaries were availing benefits of multiple schemes. Some families had more than two beneficiaries. And in some cases, men applied for the scheme," Tatkare said on X. Since last month, the benefits of the 26.3 lakh ineligible beneficiaries have been temporarily suspended. Around 2.2 crore eligible applicants received the stipend for the month of June. Tatkare said the information about the 26.3 lakh ineligible women whose benefits were temporarily suspended will be verified by the respective district collectors. The benefits of those who are found eligible after this exercise will be resumed. "Regarding the action to be taken against fraudulent beneficiaries who misled the govt and availed benefits through improper means, a suitable decision will be taken at the govt level," she said on X. The Ladki Bahin scheme provides a stipend of Rs 1,500 per month to married, divorced, widowed, deserted, and destitute women, aged between 21 and 65, whose annual family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh and who are domiciled in the state. One eligible unmarried woman from each family will also be considered for the scheme. The Ladki Bahin scheme was a game-changer and was among the factors which powered the landslide victory of the Mahayuti alliance in the 2024 assembly polls. Soon after he took charge in Dec 2024, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the beneficiaries would be scrutinised. By Feb 2025, the state dropped 5 lakh ineligible beneficiaries from the scheme. This included those who crossed the age of 65 years and beneficiaries under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, which also provides a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 per month, have been removed from the scheme. Beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana can avail of benefits under another govt scheme only if the combined benefit is sealed at Rs 1,500. By April, the state govt reduced the stipend of 8 lakh beneficiaries of its flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana because they were also receiving benefits under another govt scheme: the Namo Shetkari Mahasanmnan Nidhi.
Mint
4 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Ladki Bahin Yojana: 14,000 men receive money under scheme for women; Ajit Pawar says govt will recover money
Amid Maharashtra's Women and Child Development Department (WCD) claimed that men fraudulently received financial benefits under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, the audit conducted by the WCD said the ₹ 21.44 crore was disbursed to 14,298 men under the scheme. According to the report, these men manipulated the online registration system and managed to register themselves as female beneficiaries. Incidentally, the fraudulent use scheme was uncovered nearly 10 months after it's launch. Earlier in 2024, the Maharashtra government launched the Ladki Bahin Yojana, months before the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, promising ₹ 1,500 per month to women aged between 21 and 65 years whose families earn less than ₹ 2.5 lakh annually. This scheme helped the Mahayuti alliance in the state, led by the BJP and supported by factions of the Shiv Sena and NCP, to come back to power. However, the misuse of the scheme has irked Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. He said, as quoted by PTI, "Ladki Bahin scheme was launched to help poor women. There is absolutely no reason why men should be its beneficiaries. We will recover the money given to them. If they do not cooperate, further action will be taken." Though the fraudulent inclusion of men in the scheme seems to be an issue for the government, another problem erupted as the scheme has incurred an estimated loss of ₹ 1,640 crore in its first year. Reason – large-scale ineligible enrollments. The WCD report also noted that over 7.97 lakh women who enrolled as third members from the same family, despite the scheme restricting benefits to a maximum of two women per household. This cost the exchequer ₹ 1,196 crore. Apart from this, around 2.87 lakh women over the age of 65 are receiving benefits, says the report, leading the state losing approximately ₹ 431.7 crore. Not only this, 1.62 lakh women from households, owning four-wheelers, were also found on the beneficiary rolls. Questioning the finding and seeking wider investigation, NCP MP Supriya Sule said, as quoted by NDTV, "How did these men fill the forms? Who helped them? Which company was given the contract for registrations? There's a bigger conspiracy behind this. The company should be investigated, and the matter should be probed by an SIT or the ED." In January, WCD Minister Aditi Tatkare publicly committed to corrective action and said that 5 lakh ineligible beneficiaries had been removed from the system. "The Department of Women and Child Development had sought information from all government departments to verify the eligibility of all applications. Accordingly, the Information and Technology Department reported that approximately 26.34 lakh beneficiaries, despite being ineligible, were availing benefits of the scheme. It has been found that some beneficiaries were availing the benefits of multiple schemes, some families had more than two beneficiaries, and in some cases, men had applied for the scheme. Based on this information, starting from June 2025, the benefits for these 26.34 lakh applicants have been temporarily suspended. Additionally, approximately 2.25 crore eligible beneficiaries of the scheme have been disbursed the honorarium for the month of June 2025," WCD Minister Aditi Tatkare said.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Over 14,000 Men Received Money Under Maharashtra's 'Ladki Bahin' Scheme
Mumbai: Over 14,000 men fraudulently received financial benefits under the Ladki Bahin Yojana, a scheme explicitly meant for economically disadvantaged women in Maharashtra. The scheme, which was launched last year, promises Rs 1,500 per month to women aged between 21 and 65 years whose families earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh annually. Its rollout, timed just months before the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, became a key instrument of the Mahayuti coalition, led by the BJP and supported by factions of the Shiv Sena and NCP, to attract voters. An audit conducted by the Women and Child Development Department (WCD) has uncovered that Rs 21.44 crore was disbursed to 14,298 men, who, by manipulating the online registration system, managed to register themselves as female beneficiaries. This misuse came to light nearly 10 months after the scheme's launch. "Ladki Bahin scheme was launched to help poor women. There is absolutely no reason why men should be its beneficiaries. We will recover the money given to them. If they do not cooperate, further action will be taken," Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said. The fraudulent inclusion of men in the beneficiary list is only one part of the problem. According to the same WCD report, the scheme has incurred an estimated loss of Rs 1,640 crore in its first year due to large-scale ineligible enrollments. The largest misuse stemmed from over 7.97 lakh women who enrolled as third members from the same family. The scheme, however, explicitly restricts benefits to a maximum of two women per household. This violation alone cost the exchequer Rs 1,196 crore. Another irregularity involves 2.87 lakh women over the age of 65 receiving benefits, even though the age ceiling for eligibility is fixed at 65 years. The state lost approximately Rs 431.7 crore due to these overage beneficiaries. Further, 1.62 lakh women from households that own four-wheelers were also found on the beneficiary rolls. According to the scheme's terms, such families do not qualify for financial assistance. The findings have sparked criticism and demands for wider investigation. "How did these men fill the forms? Who helped them? Which company was given the contract for registrations? There's a bigger conspiracy behind this. The company should be investigated, and the matter should be probed by an SIT or the ED," said NCP MP Supriya Sule. In December 2024, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ordered a comprehensive review of the scheme. In January this year, WCD Minister Aditi Tatkare publicly committed to corrective action. By February, the names of 5 lakh ineligible beneficiaries had been removed from the system. मुख्यमंत्री माझी लाडकी बहीण योजनेअंतर्गत पात्र ठरलेल्या सर्व अर्जांची ओळख पटवण्यासाठी महिला व बालविकास विभागाने शासनाच्या सर्व विभागांकडून माहिती मागवली होती. यानुसार माहिती व तंत्रज्ञान विभागाने सुमारे २६.३४ लाख लाभार्थी अपात्र असताना देखील लाडकी बहीण योजनेचा लाभ घेत असल्याची… — Aditi S Tatkare (@iAditiTatkare) July 26, 2025 "The Department of Women and Child Development had sought information from all government departments to verify the eligibility of all applications. Accordingly, the Information and Technology Department reported that approximately 26.34 lakh beneficiaries, despite being ineligible, were availing benefits of the scheme. It has been found that some beneficiaries were availing the benefits of multiple schemes, some families had more than two beneficiaries, and in some cases, men had applied for the scheme. Based on this information, starting from June 2025, the benefits for these 26.34 lakh applicants have been temporarily suspended. Additionally, approximately 2.25 crore eligible beneficiaries of the scheme have been disbursed the honorarium for the month of June 2025," WCD Minister Aditi Tatkare said.
