In a massive purge, the Maharashtra government has reportedly removed 90 million women from the Maharashtra Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, an NDTV report said. A sharp reduction in the number of beneficiaries has reduced the coverage of the Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana from over 2.6 million applicants to just 1.53 million.
Most of the names were removed from Beed district of Maharashtra. As many as 2.83 lakh women have been removed from the beneficiary list as ineligible, the report said.
The names were reportedly redacted after an audit. The decision was driven by a sophisticated digital “digital dragnet” system that compared the applicant’s data with tax and vehicle registration records.
In addition to eliminating ghosts, the audit also excluded thousands of men. Those who were struck off the list have until March 31 to prove their eligibility.
What is Maharashtra Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana?
Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a social initiative of the Maharashtra government created to provide financial support and social security to women from economically weaker families. Under this program, eligible beneficiaries receive direct monthly financial assistance along with support related to health, education and overall well-being.
According to Maharashtra’s website, “the main objective is to reduce gender inequality and help families provide women with equal opportunities and a secure future.”
The government has also mandated that every beneficiary fill e-KYC.
Majhi Ladki Bahin eKYC process
- Visit Official Govt Ladki Bahin Yojana Maharashtra in ekyc.
- Enter the beneficiary’s Aadhaar number and CAPTCHA code.
- Agree to Aadhaar authentication and click on Submit OTP.
- Enter the OTP received on the Aadhaar linked mobile number and submit.
So far, the Maharashtra government has paid 15 installments to eligible women under the scheme. The September installment that was ₹1,500, was paid in October 2025.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar on Tuesday announced a flexible working hours initiative for women civil servants working in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) jurisdiction.
Under the ‘Come early, leave early’ initiative, Sunetra Pawar said female employees can start work anytime between 9.15 am and 9.45 am. They can then leave after working the required number of work hours, with their departure time adjusted according to the start time.
“This decision would provide great relief to women by reducing the inconvenience they face due to rush hour crowds,” she said.
She also noted that the state has sanctified 180 days of maternity leave for civil servants and allowed up to one year of half-pay leave after maternity leave without the need for a medical certificate.
4. Maharashtra Government’s Women’s Policy has been introduced and a high-level committee has been constituted for its effective implementation, she said.
