Maharashtra’s Ladki Behna Yojana Rocked by ₹3,000 Crore Scam

30 Lakh Ineligible Women Detected

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Ladki Behna Yojana

Key Highlights:

  1. Fraudulent Beneficiaries: Over 30 lakh ineligible women falsely availed benefits of the Ladki Behna Yojana, siphoning off ₹3,000 crore in taxpayer funds.
  2. Installments Suspended: The eighth installment (February 2025) will exclude these beneficiaries, pending a statewide eligibility audit.
  3. Election Controversy: The scheme, launched ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, is now under scrutiny for alleged misuse to sway women voters.
  4. Geographic Irregularities: Fraud cases detected in areas like Latur (25,000+ rejections) and villages with no Muslim residents where Muslim women fraudulently claimed benefits.
  5. Multi-Scheme Scam: Over 26 lakh beneficiaries were already enrolled in other welfare programs like Kisan Samman, violating Ladli Behna’s “one-family-one-scheme” rule.

Mumbai: The Mahayuti government’s flagship Ladki Behna Yojana, hailed as a game-changer in the 2024 Maharashtra elections, is embroiled in a massive scandal as authorities uncovered 30 lakh fraudulent beneficiaries who siphoned off approximately ₹3,000 crore through forged documents and fake identities. With the eighth installment of ₹1,500 per month slated for February 2025, the government has initiated a statewide purge to exclude ineligible beneficiaries, sparking political unrest and public outcry.

How the Scam Unfolded

  1. Fake Documentation: Ineligible women used blurred Aadhaar cards and falsified income certificates to register. In Sangli and Latur, fake Anganwadi workers created 1,171 fraudulent IDs to bypass checks.
  2. Geographic Anomalies: Muslim women from Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Rajasthan claimed benefits in villages with zero Muslim populations.
  3. Duplicate Schemes: Over 26 lakh women were already availing benefits from other state or central schemes like Kisan Samman Yojana, violating Ladli Behna’s eligibility criteria.

Fraud Metrics:

  • Total Loss: ₹3,000 crore over 7 installments (July 2024–January 2025).
  • Monthly Drain: ₹370 crore/month diverted to ineligible accounts.

Government Response: Crackdown and Course Correction

  • Eligibility Audits: The Women and Child Welfare Department is revisiting applications, with 25,000+ rejections in Latur alone.
  • Tech-Driven Verification: Using AI tools to cross-check Aadhaar, income certificates, and existing scheme enrollments.
  • Political Damage Control: CM Devendra Fadnavis vowed accountability, stating, “Fraudsters will face strict action, and every rupee will be recovered.”

Political Fallout: Opposition Slams “Election Stunt”

The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) seized the opportunity to criticize the Mahayuti government:

  • Sharad Pawar (NCP): “This scheme was a pre-election gimmick. The BJP exploited women’s aspirations for votes.”
  • Bhaskar Jadhav (Shiv Sena): “The government must answer why due diligence wasn’t done before splurging public funds.”

Impact on Genuine Beneficiaries

While 2.19 crore legitimate beneficiaries (below poverty line) continue receiving funds, the scam has delayed payouts for many. Asha Patil, a homemaker from Kolhapur, shared, “I’ve submitted my documents thrice. Why should we suffer because of fraudsters?”

Broader Implications: Trust in Welfare Schemes

The scandal raises questions about the efficacy of Maharashtra’s welfare mechanisms:

  • Systemic Loopholes: Lack of integration between state and central databases enabled multi-scheme fraud.
  • Demand for Reform: Activists urge biometric verification and real-time monitoring to prevent future leaks.

A Wake-Up Call for Transparent Governance

The Ladli Behna fraud underscores the delicate balance between populist welfare and fiscal responsibility. As Maharashtra gears up for local body elections, the government faces mounting pressure to restore credibility. For now, the scheme’s future hinges on robust audits and stricter oversight—a lesson for policymakers nationwide.

Next Steps:

  • Criminal complaints against 3,200+ individuals in Sangli and Latur.
  • Statewide awareness campaigns to assist genuine beneficiaries in reapplying.
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