Denied state benefits: 9.2 million women excluded from welfare scheme

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has removed more than 92 lakh beneficiaries from its 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' women's welfare scheme, primarily citing the failure to complete mandatory e-KYC requirements. This figure marks a significant increase from the 80 lakh removals reported by the state government just one month ago. Out of the total 2.4 crore registered beneficiaries, approximately 38 percent have now been excluded from the program.

According to government data, between 50 and 55 lakh women were removed because they failed to complete the electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification process within the allotted time. Officials noted that the government had provided beneficiaries with an eight-month window to finalise these formalities. Additionally, approximately 12 lakh applicants were excluded after verification revealed that their annual family income exceeded the eligibility limits set for the scheme.

The audit of the beneficiary database also led to further adjustments. More than 4.5 lakh women over the age of 65 were removed from the list, as they did not meet the eligibility criteria. Furthermore, government sources confirmed that roughly 14,000 men who had attempted to register and claim benefits were identified and subsequently removed from the beneficiary roster.
Regionally, the state reported that Beed district saw the highest volume of exclusions, accounting for approximately 28 lakh of the removed entries. The administration maintains that the screening process was a necessary step to ensure that financial assistance is directed strictly toward eligible recipients.