Key Points:
- The number of ineligible women under the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behan Yojana is set to rise to 9 lakh, saving the state government ₹945 crore annually.
- 5 lakh women were excluded earlier based on economic criteria, and another 4 lakh are now being removed due to stricter eligibility checks.
- Women benefiting from other schemes like Namo Shetkari Yojana or those with higher incomes are being excluded.
- Beneficiaries must now complete annual e-KYC and submit life certificates between June 1 and July 1 every year to remain eligible.
- The scheme currently benefits over 2.5 crore women, with married women making up 83% of recipients.
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government has announced stricter eligibility criteria for its flagship Mukhyamantri Ladli Behan Yojana, leading to the exclusion of an additional 4 lakh women from the scheme. This brings the total number of ineligible beneficiaries to 9 lakh, following the earlier removal of 5 lakh women based on income criteria. The move is expected to save the state exchequer ₹945 crore annually.
The Ladli Behan Yojana, launched in July 2024, provides financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month to women aged 21–65 years who are married, divorced, widowed, abandoned, or destitute, with a family income below ₹2.5 lakh per year. However, the government is now implementing stringent measures to ensure that only eligible women receive benefits.
Reasons for Exclusion
The new review process aims to weed out ineligible beneficiaries who do not meet the scheme’s criteria. Key reasons for exclusion include:
- Double Benefits: Women availing benefits from other schemes like Namo Shetkari Yojana will now receive reduced aid under Ladli Behan Yojana. For instance, such women will get only ₹500 from Ladli Behan Yojana while receiving ₹1,000 from Namo Shetkari Yojana.
- High-Income Groups: Women with family incomes exceeding ₹2.5 lakh or those owning vehicles have been deemed ineligible.
- Non-compliance: Beneficiaries who fail to complete mandatory e-KYC and submit life certificates annually will be removed from the list.
Additionally, discrepancies in names between application forms and bank accounts have led to re-verification at the district level. Women whose Aadhaar cards are not linked to their accounts are also being excluded.
Demographics of Beneficiaries
As per official data:
- Age Distribution: The largest group of beneficiaries (29%) falls in the age bracket of 30–39 years, followed by 25.5% aged 21–29 and 23.6% aged 40–49. Only 5% are aged 60–65 years.
- Marital Status: Married women constitute a significant majority (83%) of recipients, while widows account for 4.7%, and unmarried women make up just 11.8%.
- Geographical Spread: Pune district has recorded the highest number of applications, followed by Nashik and Ahmednagar. In contrast, Sindhudurg and Gadchiroli districts have the lowest participation.
Impact on State Finances
The exclusion of ineligible beneficiaries is expected to save ₹945 crore annually for the Maharashtra government. Officials estimate that as reviews continue, up to 15 lakh women may eventually be disqualified from receiving benefits.
Despite these exclusions, the scheme remains a cornerstone of the BJP-led Mahayuti government’s welfare agenda. It played a crucial role in securing their victory during the November 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections by appealing strongly to women voters.
Future Measures
To ensure transparency and compliance:
- Beneficiaries must complete e-KYC and submit life certificates between June 1 and July 1 every year.
- The government plans to correct discrepancies in beneficiary records at the district level.
- Aadhaar seeding with bank accounts will be mandatory for all applicants.
The government is also considering increasing monthly assistance under the scheme from ₹1,500 to ₹2,100 as part of its election manifesto promise. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assured that eligible “Ladli sisters” will soon benefit from this increase.
Political Significance
The Mukhyamantri Ladli Behan Yojana has been instrumental in shaping electoral outcomes in Maharashtra. It was credited as a key factor behind the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance’s landslide victory in November 2024. Over 2.5 crore women have benefited from this scheme so far, helping boost voter turnout among women by nearly six percentage points compared to previous elections.
However, opposition leaders have criticized the scheme for its limited scope and alleged misuse as a political tool. NCP leader Supriya Sule remarked that “women need long-term solutions like minimum support prices for their produce rather than temporary financial aid.”
While the stricter eligibility criteria aim to ensure fairness and efficiency in disbursing benefits under the Ladli Behan Yojana, they also highlight challenges in managing large-scale welfare programs. As Maharashtra’s government continues its review process, it remains committed to supporting economically vulnerable women while addressing discrepancies and improving accountability within the scheme.
