Maharashtra’s Women’s Scheme Misused: 14,000+ Men Receive Funds Illegally, CBI Probe Demanded

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra, intended to benefit women, is under scrutiny following the discovery of widespread fraud. A recent audit showed that over 14,000 men had illicitly claimed benefits, leading to the disbursal of Rs 21.44 crore. The Women and Child Development Department has suspended the benefits of 26.34 lakh beneficiaries after identifying the irregularities. Supriya Sule from the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) has called for a CBI investigation to address the misuse of the scheme and identify those responsible. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has assured that the government will recover the misused funds. Further investigations revealed that some women already employed were also improperly receiving the scheme’s benefits. These beneficiaries have been removed from the list. The scheme’s benefits have been temporarily suspended for ineligible applicants, and a review is underway to reinstate them for eligible beneficiaries, according to Aditi Tatkare, the Women and Child Development Minister.