Mumbai: Even as a verification campaign to stop ineligible women from availing the benefits of the Ladki Bahin Yojana is yet to be completed, nearly 4,000 women from across Maharashtra have relinquished the scheme.
Women and child welfare minister Aditi Tatkare said that the money returned by these women will be deposited back into the government treasury. For this, a separate refund head will be created and that fund will be used for public welfare.
Minister Aditi Tatkare Gives Clarification
A section of media on Saturday reported Tatkare stating that money from the beneficiaries would be taken back, following which NCP(SP) threatened a stir for humiliating the women of Maharashtra. The minister clarified that the state government is not launching any drive to scrutinise the beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana.
“We have not changed any government policies. We are only addressing the complaints filed with local government offices,” she said.
On Friday, the FPJ had reported that nearly two to three lakh beneficiaries have been removed from the scheme this month. While some applications were found to have discrepancies during the verification process, others have voluntarily requested to be excluded. Tatkare had said that the exact number is difficult to ascertain and the scenario will become clear in the next four to five months.
Tatakare said, “Some women, who have already got the monthly benefit for June to December under Ladki Bahin Yojana, have started returning the benefits. Some applications were received last month. The administration is getting more applications this month as well. Realising that they are not eligible for this scheme, some women are rejecting the benefits of the scheme by filling the applications. Therefore, this proves that our beloved sisters are also honest," said Aditi Tatkare.
The minister further explained, “Except for women beneficiaries holding yellow and orange ration cards, the applications of other women will be scrutinised. Help from the transport and Income-Tax departments is being taken. Therefore, this will be a continuous process. As a result, the number of women withdrawing their applications may change continuously.”
The minister added, “We will not scrutinise any application without a complaint. If there has been an increase in income or if the income has gone above Rs 2.5 lakh, then those women will not be eligible for the scheme; women with four-wheelers, who have done inter-state marriages are not eligible for this scheme; if the name on the Aadhaar card is different from the name in the bank and if it is brought to our attention, then the concerned woman will be ineligible.”
