Tax Data Meets Transparency—Maharashtra Tightens Ladki Bahin Yojana Scrutiny

Image Source: United News of India

In a bid to curb fraudulent claims under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, the Central government has authorized Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Department to access Income Tax Return (ITR) data. The move aims to ensure only eligible women receive financial assistance, improving transparency and accountability in the welfare scheme.

1. Why IT Data Access Matters

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued a notification on June 3, 2025, allowing income verification for beneficiaries.
Women from families that pay income tax are automatically disqualified from receiving the ₹1,500 monthly aid.
The Maharashtra government can now verify financial documents, stopping abuse of taxpayer-funded benefits.

2. Crackdown on Fraudulent Claims

Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare revealed that over 2,200 government employees had wrongly availed benefits.
The data-sharing mechanism will help identify ineligible claimants, ensuring funds reach economically weaker sections.
The scheme is to be made more efficient by improving the verification process.

3. Future Implications & Beneficiary Impact

The Ladki Bahin Yojana currently benefits over 2.34 crore women, with plans to expand coverage further.
The Maharashtra government aims to increase financial assistance to ₹2,100 per month, improving economic independence for women.
Officials believe the IT data access will streamline the distribution process, ensuring fair allocation of resources.

Sources: pmgovtschemehub.com, bharatmati.com, LatestLy