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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Over 14,000 men among 26 lakh ineligible beneficiaries barred from Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin scheme for women
The Maharashtra Government has suspended 26.34 lakh beneficiaries from its flagship Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana after a verification exercise revealed large-scale irregularities, including the presence of over 14,000 male claimants of the dole meant for women. While some were availing of the benefits of multiple government schemes, some families had more than two members receiving benefits, and some men were also found to be availing of the scheme's benefits. In a statement issued by Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare on Sunday, the department confirmed that it had sought data from all state departments to verify the eligibility of applicants under the scheme. The verification, conducted by the Department of Information and Technology, flagged lakhs of entries where beneficiaries were found ineligible but continued to receive financial support under the scheme. 'Some beneficiaries were found to be availing of multiple government schemes. In other cases, families had more than two members receiving benefits. Shockingly, there were also instances where male applicants had been granted funds under the scheme,' Tatkare said. Based on these findings, disbursement of funds to 26.34 lakh such accounts has been temporarily stopped starting June 2025. The minister clarified that this was a precautionary suspension and that district collectors had been tasked with conducting a detailed review to determine eligibility. 'Those found to be genuinely eligible will have their benefits restored,' Tatkare said. Despite the suspension, around 2.25 crore eligible women received the monthly Rs 1,500 dole for June 2025. The discovery that 14,298 men had availed of benefits under the scheme for women has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition. The Government has since removed all such ineligible male beneficiaries from the list. Responding to the criticism, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said the state would recover the amounts disbursed to these individuals and would take legal action if they fail to cooperate. 'This scheme was launched with a sincere intention to support poor women. It was never meant for men. Misuse will not be tolerated,' Pawar said, when asked about the matter. The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in August 2024 by the Eknath Shinde-led Maha Yuti Government ahead of the Assembly polls, with the monthly dole credited directly into the bank accounts of women whose annual income is less than Rs 2.5 lakh. The scheme gained widespread traction across the state, especially in the run-up to the Assembly elections, and credit was given to the scheme for the victory of the Mahayuti. During the Assembly elections, Mahayuti leaders had promised to raise this amount to Rs 2,100, which was considered instrumental in helping the alliance return to power. In March, during the first budget presented by the Government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, no announcement was made regarding the anticipated increase in the Ladki Bahin dole. The Opposition has been targeting the government over increasing the dole and accusing the government of hurriedly starting the scheme with an eye on the Assembly polls and overburdening the exchequer. Meanwhile, Tatkare added that the Government would soon decide — in consultation with Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Shinde and Pawar — on the course of action to be taken against fraudulent or fake claimants who had deliberately misled authorities to claim benefits.
Time of India
2 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.
Scroll.in
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
More than 14,000 men in Maharashtra received monthly payout under Ladki Bahin scheme: Report
More than 14,000 men in Maharashtra allegedly received a monthly payout under the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana for 10 months, the Hindustan Times reported on Sunday, citing a recent review of the scheme by the state government. The Women and Child Development Department said that 14,298 men had enrolled in the scheme by misrepresenting their identities. This led to a loss of Rs 21.44 crore to the state exchequer, the newspaper reported. Payments to their accounts have since been stopped. The scheme, launched in June 2024, provides a monthly transfer of Rs 1,500 to women aged 21 to 65 whose families earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh a year. The Ladki Bahin scheme is said to have played a key role in the Mahayuti alliance winning 230 seats in the 288-member Maharashtra Assembly in November. The coalition comprises the Bharatiya Janata Party, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's faction of the Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party group led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The scheme has sparked controversy due to the strain it has placed on the state's finances. Monthly scrutiny exercises have also flagged numerous instances of ineligible enrolments under the scheme. The state government currently spends Rs 3,700 crore to disburse the benefits to 2.41 crore beneficiaries each month under the scheme, the Hindustan Times reported. On Saturday, Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare said that about 26.34 lakh persons were found to be availing benefits under the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana despite being ineligible, according to the department's latest review. 'Some beneficiaries were availing benefits of multiple schemes, some families had more than two beneficiaries and in some cases, men had applied for the scheme,' Tatkare added in a social media post. 'Based on this information, starting from June 2025, the benefits for these 26.34 lakh applicants have been temporarily suspended,' she said. The records of the suspended beneficiaries will be verified by district collectors and payments will be resumed for those found eligible, she added. Tatkare said that action against 'fraudulent beneficiaries' who had 'misled' the state and availed benefits improperly would be taken after discussion with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the deputy chief ministers. Pawar also responded to reports of men fraudulently receiving payouts under the Ladki Bahin scheme and said that strict action would be taken against them, the Hindustan Times reported. 'The Ladki Bahin scheme is for needy women from lower income groups, not for men,' the newspaper quoted him as saying. 'The state government will recover the money from men who received the money under the scheme. If they don't cooperate, we will take strict action.'
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Maratha grp attack: NCP leader given marching orders
Pune: NCP president and deputy CM Ajit Pawar on Monday directed the party's youth wing chief, Suraj Chavan, to resign a day after he and some party workers allegedly assaulted an office-bearer of Maratha outfit Chhava Sanghatana in Latur for flinging playing cards at state NCP chief Sunil Tatkare to protest the videos showing agriculture minister Manikrao Kokate playing rummy in the House. In a post on X, Pawar said the decision was taken to show that the party will not tolerate any action against its ideology. "Against the backdrop of [Sunday's] serious incident in Latur, I have instructed NCP state youth president Suraj Chavan to resign from his post. I strongly protest any form of violence and the use of unparliamentary language. The identity of NCP is based on the democratic values of equality taught by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Shahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar. I want to make it clear to all party workers to give priority to democracy, peaceful conduct and non-violence," he said. Chhava Sanghatana's Vijaykumar Ghadge and other members went to meet Tatkare on Sunday to submit a memorandum demanding Kokate's resignation. They raised slogans against Kokate and threw cards at Tatkare. After Tatkare left the venue, Chavan and other party members allegedly attacked Ghadge, who was sitting in another room. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Following outrage from farmers' organisations and the opposition, Chavan tendered an apology. "There were some unconstitutional words used by the protesters, which led to the conflict between NCP and Chhava members. I regret my action and apologise. I will soon meet Ghadge in person to clear the misunderstanding," he said. Soon after the attack, he had defended his and other NCP workers' action as a "natural reaction" to alleged attempts to humiliate party functionaries. He had acknowledged Chhava Sanghatna's right to democratic protest, but suggested that the card-throwing protest was out of line. Chhava Sanghatana members from Latur, Nanded, Dharashiv and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar registered their protests and demanded strict action against Chavan and other NCP members involved in the violence. No case was lodged in connection with the violence.
Indian Express
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
NCP youth wing chief Suraj Chavan apologises after party workers assault Chhava Sanghatna activists; Ajit Pawar summons him
Suraj Chavan, the youth wing chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), apologised Monday after his supporters thrashed activists of the Chhava Sanghatna in Latur on Sunday. In the wake of the incident, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who is the national president of NCP, has summoned Chavan to Mumbai. Chavan said, 'Some television channels are running the news that my supporters beat up Chhava Sanghatna activists because they raised issues concerning farmers. I am the son of a farmer. If anyone is raising the farmers' plight, it is my duty to back them.' 'However, yesterday Chhava Sanghatna activists used unparliamentary language against our party leadership… I would like to apologise for yesterday's incident. I will meet the activists of Chhava Sanghatna to remove any misunderstanding between us,' he stated. On Sunday, during NCP state chief Sunil Tatkare's press conference in Latur, Chhava Sanghatna activists sought the removal of Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate from the Cabinet. In a video, Kokate was earlier seen playing the card game Rummy inside the Maharashtra Legislative Council. However, while protesting, the activists allegedly hurled a pack of cards at Tatkare and used objectionable words. 'They just didn't throw cards, they also used bad language against our leadership. If anyone is going to behave in this manner, we will give a befitting reply,' Chavan had said after the incident. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tatkare said, 'I spoke for one hour at a press conference yesterday during which Chhava Sanghatna activists came to meet me and hand over a memorandum. They threw cards at me. Yet, I quietly received their memorandum and thanked them.' Tatkare said he did not know what happened outside the press conference venue. 'But when I was apprised about it (the assault), I strongly condemned it. Whatever happened is wrong… 'The NCP will never support such an action by our members,' he said. Tatkare added that Ajit Pawar has summoned the NCP youth wing chief. 'Chavan has left for Mumbai… I have never supported such things in my political career. At the press conference, I answered all questions relating to farmers. In a democracy, you have to listen to the people's voices,' he said. Reacting to the assault, Pawar said on Monday, 'The incident that took place yesterday in Latur between office-bearers of the NCP and the Chhava Sanghatna is very serious, unfortunate, and condemnable. I strongly oppose any kind of violence, rude behaviour or unparliamentary language. We sincerely respect the just demands and feelings of every section of the society.' 'I would like to clearly state to all my colleagues and activists: always prioritise the values of democracy, peace, and non-violence while working in social life,' the party chief added.
