Ladki Bahin Yojana: A major scam has been exposed in the Chief Minister’s Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra. An RTI has revealed that 12,431 men, posing as women, benefited from the scheme. 77,980 ineligible women also benefited. This has defrauded the government of crores of rupees.
Ladki Bahin Yojana: Many schemes are being run by the state governments and the central government to improve the economic condition of women. Similarly, the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is being run in Maharashtra. Similarly, the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is being run in Maharashtra. A big scam has come to light in this scheme. This has created a stir in the state. 12,431 men have taken advantage of this scheme by posing as women. At the same time, 77,980 ineligible women have also taken advantage. This has been revealed in an RTI. Let us tell you that the Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana has been started only for women. Men do not get benefit from this scheme.
Under the Ladki Behen Yojana, eligible women are provided financial assistance of ₹1,500 per month. Citing government data obtained under the Right to Information (RTI), the Indian Express reported that the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) confirmed that these men received benefits during verification. Following the investigation, they were removed from the list of beneficiaries. Additionally, 77,980 women were also found ineligible and had received benefits incorrectly.
Government Loses Crores
According to the report, the men suffered a loss of approximately ₹24.24 crore. Meanwhile, ineligible women received payments for 12 months, resulting in a misappropriation of ₹140.28 crore. In total, ₹164.52 crore was misappropriated. According to the department, these ineligible individuals have now been removed from the list, but no information has yet been received regarding recovery or action against them.
Government employees also engaged in the loot.
Government employees were also not far behind in abusing this scheme. According to the RTI, 2,400 employees are involved, representing departments such as agriculture, animal husbandry, ayurvedic, social welfare, and the district council. These include 817 employees from the Ayurveda Directorate, 1,183 from the district council, 219 from social welfare, and 128 from the agriculture department.
24.1 million women are benefiting
Currently, approximately 24.1 million women are benefiting from this scheme, resulting in a monthly financial burden of approximately ₹3,700 crore on the government. A senior government official stated that these irregularities are just the “tip of the iceberg.” “We are currently calculating the total amount of money that went into the wrong accounts.
As the investigation progresses, the figure may increase further,” the official said. According to officials, payments to approximately 26.34 lakh suspicious accounts were blocked between June and July 2025. They stated that these irregularities occurred due to a lack of verification and verification procedures at the time of the scheme’s launch.
Who benefits from the Chief Minister’s Ladki Behen Yojana?
This scheme is applicable only to women aged 21 to 65 years.
2. To avail of this scheme, women must be residents of Maharashtra.
3. To join this scheme, one must apply online.
4. All married, unmarried, and divorced women can avail of this scheme.
5. To avail of this scheme, it is mandatory for women to have an account in any bank. The annual income of the woman’s family should not exceed ₹2.5 lakh.
6. This scheme is not applicable to women who are already benefiting from any other government scheme.