Ladki Bahin scheme: Maharashtra govt clears way for ineligible beneficiaries to return money, new head in accounts opened

In its order dated January 29, the Women and Child Development department has informed all district officials about the opening of a new head under which the money returned by ineligible women will be deposited. “As women started coming forward to various zilla parishad and local administration offices, officials conveyed to us that there is no head in financial accounts under which the money can be deposited,” said an official from the department.

Last month, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar had said the government was planning to weed out beneficiaries availing the benefits of the scheme even though they don’t meet the eligibility criteria.

As per the government process, a head under finance accounts has to be opened in case money is to be spent or deposited for a particular reason. That money cannot be spent on any other purpose. Similarly, money coming to the government should also be deposited under a designated head. The government accounts till now had no mention of a designated head in accounts to deposit the money returned by the women.

“There are some women who received the money despite not meeting the criteria. Now those women are voluntarily coming forward to return the money. The money we are receiving will now be deposited under this head,” the official said.

Sources said that with reports of the government scrutinising the existing list and possibility of action, a large number of women are coming forward to deposit the money. As per a primary estimate, around one lakh women across the state have come forward to return the money.

The scheme offers Rs 1,500 per month to women up to 65 years of age with an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh. No member of their family should be a government employee, the beneficiary shall not own a four-wheeler or be getting monthly assistance under any other government scheme. According to the government, a total of 2.47 crore beneficiaries exist under this scheme.