71 lakh women declared ineligible in the e-KYC process of the “CM Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana”

Rs 21,300 crore spent on these women over the past 20 months

(“e-KYC” – a digital method for verification of Government identity documents.)

Mumbai – During the e-KYC verification of beneficiaries under the “Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana,” 71 lakh women have been found ineligible. These ineligible women received Rs 1,500 per month each, resulting in a total expenditure of Rs 21,300 crore over the past 20 months. The e-KYC process for some women is still pending, so the deadline to complete it has been extended until 30 April.

Under this scheme, 2.43 crore women have registered across the state. Many complaints were received from across the state that benefits were stopped due to the selection of incorrect options during the e-KYC process. Therefore, the Government had instructed that the e-KYC process be conducted again. So far, 1.90 crore women have completed the process. Earlier, the deadline to complete e-KYC was 31 March, but since the process is still incomplete, the deadline has been extended.

Editorial Perspectives

• Such a large number of ineligible women being declared eligible, and continuing to receive benefits for a long period despite being ineligible, reflects serious mismanagement by Government officials. 
• Will the Rs 21,300 crore given to these women be recovered ? And will they be punished for allegedly defrauding the Government ?