In a bid to ensure transparency and accountability in its flagship welfare scheme, the Maharashtra government has requested detailed income tax data to verify the eligibility of women enrolled under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The move comes amid allegations of large-scale irregularities, including claims that hundreds of government employees from the Mantralaya may have availed benefits meant for economically weaker women.
The Income Tax Department in Mumbai has confirmed receiving the state’s request for data on women who have filed income tax returns.
“We’ve forwarded the request to the Union Finance Ministry for approval,” said a senior tax official, underlining the importance of cross-departmental collaboration in ensuring fair implementation of welfare schemes.
A Pre-Election Push, A Post-Election Review
Launched just ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, the Ladki Bahin Yojana was a major initiative of the Mahayuti alliance (BJP–Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde, and NCP led by Ajit Pawar). The scheme aimed to offer monthly financial support of ₹7,500 to eligible women, and quickly saw 2.67 crore applicants.
However, with elections concluded, a government-led review revealed that inadequate verification led to approximately 9 lakh ineligible women, including four-wheeler owners and government employees, receiving benefits. This has sparked widespread concern over the scheme’s implementation and financial sustainability.
Cost to the State
According to the Finance Ministry, around ₹3.58 crore has already been disbursed over the past nine months, with ₹13,500 per woman having been deposited during the scheme’s operation. While the intent was to uplift economically disadvantaged women, flawed implementation mechanisms have allowed many to receive funds who do not meet the eligibility criteria.
A Push for Transparency
A senior bureaucrat leading the review emphasized the need for timely access to income tax records.
“This data will help identify and remove ineligible beneficiaries, reducing unnecessary financial burden on the state and restoring public faith in welfare governance,” he stated.
He further added that the delay in data sharing from the central tax authorities has slowed the investigation into these irregularities, allowing thousands of women to continue receiving funds they may not be entitled to.
The Ladki Bahin Yojana was envisioned as a transformative step towards women’s financial inclusion, but its success depends on the integrity of its implementation. This unfolding development reflects a critical lesson for all public welfare programs: effective policy must be matched by robust execution and verification frameworks. Only then can schemes fulfill their promise of inclusive growth and equitable support.
