Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Congress Alleges Maharashtra Removed 92.10 Lakh Scheme Beneficiaries
Maharashtra has a program called the Ladki Bahin scheme that gives some women Rs 1,500 each month.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar says many women were removed from the program.
He claims the number fell from about 2.48 crore to 1.65 crore after checks were completed.
He says some women were removed because they did not finish e-KYC or did not meet income rules.
He also listed removals involving government employees, household limits, age and other eligibility checks.
The government says the main reasons were incomplete e-KYC and income criteria.
Wadettiwar says poor women have been unfairly denied help.
He also questioned why money was not recovered from people who allegedly received benefits despite being ineligible.
Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar alleged that Maharashtra removed 92.10 lakh women from the Ladki Bahin scheme.
He said beneficiaries fell from 2.48 crore to 1.65 crore after e-KYC and verification.
Wadettiwar attributed removals to e-KYC non-compliance, income criteria and other eligibility issues.
The Maharashtra government said the dropouts were mainly due to incomplete e-KYC and income criteria.
Launched in August 2024, the scheme provides eligible women aged 21 to 65 with Rs 1,500 monthly through DBT.
- Who
- Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar and the Maharashtra government are involved in the dispute over scheme beneficiaries.
- What
- Wadettiwar alleged that 92.10 lakh women were removed from the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana after e-KYC and verification.
- When
- The allegation was reported on August 19; the scheme was launched in August 2024.
- Where
- Maharashtra, with the report datelined Mumbai.
- Why
- Wadettiwar said the removals deprived poor women of assistance, while the government said they were mainly caused by incomplete e-KYC and failure to meet income criteria.
Congress allegation
Government explanation
Reason for beneficiary decline
Congress allegation
Vijay Wadettiwar alleged that the government removed 92.10 lakh women and deprived poor women of rightful assistance.
Government explanation
The government said the reduction was mainly due to incomplete e-KYC and failure to meet income criteria.
Treatment of ineligible recipients
Congress allegation
Wadettiwar questioned why the government had not shown evidence of recovering money from families of government employees who allegedly received benefits.
Government explanation
The government’s clarification cited eligibility and verification issues but, in the report, did not provide a response about recovery of funds.
Political motivation
Congress allegation
Wadettiwar accused the BJP-led Mahayuti of using women for electoral gains and abandoning them after taking power.
Government explanation
The government’s stated explanation focused on verification and eligibility rather than political motives.
- Alleged removals
- 92.10 lakh beneficiaries, according to Vijay Wadettiwar.
- Beneficiary count claimed by Congress
- The number allegedly fell from 2.48 crore to 1.65 crore after e-KYC and verification.
- Monthly benefit
- Rs 1,500 per month through Direct Benefit Transfer.
- Eligibility age
- Women aged 21 to 65 years.
- Launch
- The scheme was launched in August 2024 by the Mahayuti government.
- Government explanation
- The government said the dropouts were mainly due to incomplete e-KYC and income criteria.
- Congress leader's listed reasons
- Wadettiwar cited e-KYC non-compliance, income criteria, government employment, household limits, age and district-level eligibility decisions.