Maharashtra Ladki Bahin scheme waiver has been announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, impacting public funds of ₹4,500–5,000 crore, according to a CNBC TV18 report. The Maharashtra Ladki Bahin scheme waiver will apply to 25–30 lakh ineligible women beneficiaries identified after a statewide audit.
The decision follows a review initiated in January 2025, when the scheme had 2.46 crore registered beneficiaries, with only 1.66 crore receiving recent instalments. The move comes amid scrutiny over beneficiary verification and compliance processes under large-scale welfare programmes.
The Maharashtra government has confirmed a one-time waiver for 25–30 lakh women found ineligible under the Ladki Bahin scheme. These beneficiaries had received payments of at least ₹1,500 per month for over 1 year despite not meeting eligibility criteria.
The total financial implication of this waiver is estimated between ₹4,500 crore and ₹5,000 crore. The decision means that this amount will not be recovered from the identified individuals.
The beneficiary audit revealed that around 80 lakh individuals did not receive recent instalments under the scheme. Of these, 25–30 lakh were permanently removed due to ineligibility, while 50–55 lakh had payments halted for not completing eKYC.
Ineligible criteria included annual income above ₹2.5 lakh, ownership of four-wheelers, or being government employees or existing scheme beneficiaries. These beneficiaries had already received payments for a minimum of 1 year, resulting in substantial disbursement amounts.
A significant portion of the 80 lakh excluded beneficiaries, estimated at 50–55 lakh, failed to complete mandatory eKYC verification by the April-end deadline. The requirement was introduced following a Comptroller and Auditor General observation highlighting the absence of eligibility checks.
The Ladki Bahin scheme initially operated on a self-certification model, leading to gaps in verification. The state government subsequently made eKYC mandatory to strengthen beneficiary validation and prevent misuse.
The decision to waive recovery for 25–30 lakh ineligible women beneficiaries reflects a policy choice balancing compliance and administrative feasibility. While the waiver limits recovery efforts, it ensures that enforcement actions are focused on clear fraud cases.
The move also highlights challenges in managing large-scale welfare schemes with extensive beneficiary databases. It underscores the importance of verification systems in ensuring efficient use of public funds.
Read More: Maharashtra Ladki Bahin Yojana Beneficiaries Fall by 73 Lakh After e-KYC Verification Drive.
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The Maharashtra Ladki Bahin scheme waiver marks a significant development in the state’s welfare policy framework. With ₹4,500–5,000 crore not being recovered, the decision addresses past disbursement issues while focusing on fraud prevention.
Recovery efforts will continue for cases involving deliberate misuse, particularly fraudulent enrolments. The development highlights both the scale of welfare programmes and the complexities of ensuring eligibility compliance.
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Published on: Jun 2, 2026, 1:47 PM IST
Akshay Shivalkar
Akshay Shivalkar is a financial content specialist who strategises and creates SEO-optimised content on the stock market, mutual funds, and other investment products. With experience in fintech and mutual funds, he simplifies complex financial concepts to help investors make informed decisions through his writing.
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