Ladki Bahin Scheme Scam: 75,000 Women Found Owning 4-Wheelers

The Ladki Bahin scheme in Maharashtra is facing intense scrutiny after authorities flagged 75,000 women in Pune district as four-wheeler owners, raising doubts about their eligibility for monthly aid under the welfare initiative.

75,000 Women Listed as 4-Wheeler Owners

The Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana came under the scanner as the state transport department identified over 75,000 women, including 58,350 from the initial list and another 16,750 from a secondary list, as 4-wheeler owners. 

The presence of these vehicles raises questions about the financial status of the listed beneficiaries since the scheme is meant for economically weaker sections. Local Anganwadi workers have been deployed for physical verification to confirm ownership and assess actual eligibility.

Verification Exercise Exposes Loopholes

The verification process has unearthed significant loopholes in the original beneficiary selection. In Pune district alone, 21,11,991 applied, out of which 20,89,946 received ₹1,500 monthly assistance. Yet, field checks confirmed four-wheeler ownership among around 58,000 women. The remaining 17,000 names are being matched with Aadhaar data for further clarity.

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Statewide Impact and Financial Strain

With Maharashtra disbursing ₹1,500 each month to over 2.5 crore women, the financial burden has risen substantially. As the scheme transitioned into a post-election phase, eligibility norms are now being stringently applied. The move has prompted concern among genuine beneficiaries facing delays or reassessments due to ineligible entries in the database.

On-Ground Verification to Continue

The Women and Child Welfare Department is intensifying field checks, particularly in rural Pune talukas. Anganwadi workers are tasked with confirming four-wheeler ownership aligned with transport department data. The initiative aims to ensure the correct allocation of public funds without leakage to financially better-off individuals.

Conclusion

The discovery of over 75,000 potentially ineligible women under the Ladki Bahin scheme shows the importance of robust data screening and ground-level verification. The government's ongoing checks aim to protect genuine welfare beneficiaries while maintaining transparency and accountability in disbursements.

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