Mumbai: With the verification of the state’s flagship Mukhya Mantri Ladki Bahin Yojana underway, reports emerged that the state took back the stipend of a beneficiary in Dhule who was found to be ineligible because she took double the benefit, causing a major stir in the state. The reports stated that the stipend covering five months was worth Rs 7,500.
However, state woman and child welfare minister Aditi Tatkare clarified that the beneficiary, Bhikubai Prakash Khairnar, wrote to the district authorities pointing out that the stipend was transferred to the bank account of her son instead of her bank account and asked for it to be returned.
“The govt received her application asking to return the amount and stop the transfer of the Ladki Bahin stipend to that account,” said Tatkare on X.
She added, “Do not fall prey to wrong information that the state govt is taking back the stipend given to the beneficiaries of the scheme.” She also reiterated that there was no large-scale cross-checking of beneficiaries and it would be mainly complaint-based.
She attached a letter from the district collector which confirmed that the stipend was returned to the govt.
Meanwhile, the opposition criticised the state govt and said that it was clear that the scheme was undertaken only to win votes before the assembly polls. “The Mahayuti govt started the Ladki Bahin scheme to draw votes. Now that the election is over, they are betraying our sisters. Once their criteria are implemented, there will barely be any beneficiaries,” said Congress party politician Vijay Wadettiwar.
“The govt did not look at the criteria and went overboard in distributing the stipend. Four women in a single home received it,” he added.
Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut said, “The govt said it won the election because of the Ladki Bahin scheme. It’s taking back their stipend. It should return their votes.” He added, “There is a major scam in the scheme. I have doubts about how long it will continue.”
The scheme aims to provide a stipend of Rs 1,500 per month to 2.5 crore underprivileged women. Before the state assembly polls which took place in Nov last year, the then Mahayuti govt led by Eknath Shinde promised to raise the sum to Rs 2,100 per month. After the assembly polls, the new Mahayuti govt began scrutinising the scheme, based on complaints it had received.
The state govt is scrutinising Ladki Bahin beneficiaries on the basis of five key criteria, including whether they fit the limit of Rs 2.5 lakh family income per year, if they remain domiciled in the state and if there is a mismatch in the name on their Aadhar and bank account.
Those with four-wheel vehicles and govt jobs will also be debarred from getting the benefits of the scheme. Those benefiting from other government schemes will also be scrutinised.
