Nagpur, 26 Feb (HS):- The Maharashtra

Government is following norms strictly of application forms and removing those

who received the benefits under the ‘Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin’ scheme. During

January and February about nine lakh beneficiaries have been removed from the

scheme.

The scheme introduced by the then Chief

Minister Eknath Shinde before the Assembly elections, benefited about 2.46

crore women. The BJP-Shiv Srena - NCP alliance benefited in the elections. The

state exchequer was burdened with Rs 3,700 crores for the first six months,

which rose to Rs 21,600, as the amount was raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 per

month.

Following scrutiny of the documents of

the beneficiaries, five lakh women were dropped in January, which saved Rs 75

crores. In February another four lah women were removed to reduce the burden by

Rs 60 crore. Those receiving benefits from multiple schemes are being removed from

the scheme. Strict scrutiny of the Yellow and Orange Ration Cards and

beneficiaries under the ‘Namo Shetkari Sanman Nidhi’ are being carried out.

The Maharashtra Government has introduced

e-KYC verification to ensure that only eligible women get the benefits

under the Ladki Bahin scheme. It is expected that the number of beneficiaries

may be reduced by about 50 lakhs. The mission to remove those who received

benefits illegally also led to political debate.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar