The Maharashtra government has cancelled its earlier decision to carry out physical verification of ineligible beneficiaries under its flagship Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme through Anganwadi workers and has instead extended the deadline for completing and correcting e KYC details on the online portal till March 31.
The decision was taken by the Women and Child Welfare department of the Government of Maharashtra after several complaints were received from beneficiaries facing difficulties during the e KYC process.
“Complaints have been received regarding difficulties in accessing scheme benefits due to some beneficiaries selecting incorrect options during the e KYC process. Specifically, all eligible sisters who have completed e KYC but are yet to receive the benefits are being given another opportunity to correct their e KYC information,” said Women and Child Welfare minister Aditi Tatkare.
She said the facility to correct e KYC details through the online portal will now remain open until March 31, 2026.
According to sources, Anganwadi workers had opposed the plan for physical verification, citing excessive workload and lack of incentives for the additional task. “There were some complaints that they are burdened with additional work. So, we decided to carry out e KYC till March 31. Those who cannot complete the process till that date will undergo physical verification,” an official from the department said.
The issue arose after a wrongly framed question in the e KYC process led to more than 24 lakh beneficiaries being incorrectly classified as state government employees, resulting in the suspension of their monthly assistance of Rs 1,500.
Following the error, the Women and Child Welfare department had earlier ordered nearly one lakh Anganwadi workers across the state to physically verify the affected beneficiaries.
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The problematic question in Marathi read, Tumchya Gharatle koni sarkari nokrit nahi na? (Nobody in your family works for the government, right?) Beneficiaries who should have responded with a no are said to have marked yes due to confusion caused by the framing of the question.
The state government spends nearly Rs 3,700 crore every month on the scheme, which covers nearly 2.25 crore beneficiaries, with each eligible woman receiving Rs 1,500 per month.
The e KYC exercise was initiated following complaints that male members were receiving benefits under the scheme or that government employees had been wrongly registered as beneficiaries.
Launched ahead of the 2024 state Assembly elections, the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme provides monthly financial assistance to eligible women.
Alok Deshpande is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express' Mumbai bureau, recognized for his focused and authoritative reporting on governance, politics, and the socio-economic dynamics of Maharashtra's hinterlands. His unique academic background in Geology and early work in the water sector provides a specialized layer of Expertise to his reporting on resource and environmental issues.
Expertise
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express, Mumbai.
Core Authority: Alok provides detailed coverage of Maharashtra politics and governance, with a particular emphasis on how policies and power struggles affect the rural and semi-urban areas (the 'hinterlands').
Key Coverage Areas: His reports frequently focus on high-stakes administrative and political topics, including:
State Assembly Proceedings: In-depth reporting on the Legislative Assembly, covering ministerial statements, legislative debates, and inter-party conflict within the ruling Mahayuti alliance.
Policy & Finance: Coverage of state finances, including supplementary budget demands, fiscal deficits, and major government schemes (e.g., Jal Jeevan Mission, Ladki Bahin Yojana).
Rural and Social Issues: Reports on critical health issues (e.g., child deaths in districts), human-animal conflict (leopard attacks, stray dogs), and agrarian concerns (e.g., farmer suicides).
Local and Urban Governance: Covers major announcements regarding urban development (e.g., BMC's OC amnesty scheme, pagdi system push) and local body elections, including political defections and alliance splits.
Unique Credentials & Trustworthiness
Academic Specialization: Holds a Post-graduate degree in Geology. This background gives him a foundational understanding of natural resources, which directly informs his reporting on environment, water, and infrastructure projects.
Early Professional Experience: His shift to journalism came after working with an NGO focused on the water sector. This practical experience strengthens his Expertise in critical areas like water management and rural development, as evidenced by his reporting on the Jal Jeevan Mission.
Journalism Training: An alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, confirming his formal training and commitment to rigorous journalistic standards.
Alok Deshpande's rare combination of scientific education, non-profit sector experience, and deep political reporting makes him a highly trusted and authoritative voice on the governance and ground realities of Maharashtra.
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