The Maharashtra government has identified nearly 26 lakh ineligible beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare announced on August 25, 2025. Preliminary data from the state’s Information and Technology Department revealed that these beneficiaries did not meet the scheme’s eligibility criteria, which include women aged 21–65 with an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh and not receiving benefits from other government schemes. The ministry has forwarded the list to district authorities for physical verification. The scheme, launched in July 2024, provides Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women. Irregularities found include families with more than two beneficiaries, recipients enrolled in multiple schemes, and even men receiving payments. Tatkare assured that eligible women would continue to receive assistance without interruption and that genuine cases where account details differ would be reviewed to resume payments. The state government will take action against ineligible recipients after field verification under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. (Updated 25 Aug 2025, 18:44 IST; source: link)