e-KYC Compliance Drive
In a significant move by the Maharashtra government, a substantial portion of bank accounts established under the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' initiative have been
permanently deactivated. The core reason for these closures is the failure of account holders to complete the mandatory electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC) verification process. Out of a total of 2.43 crore accounts initially registered, a striking 68 lakh accounts have been terminated. This rigorous e-KYC exercise was initiated in response to credible complaints suggesting irregularities, including allegations that male family members were unjustly benefiting from the scheme and that some government employees had been erroneously enrolled as recipients. The outcome of this compliance drive has led to a considerable reduction in the active number of accounts, leaving approximately 1.75 crore beneficiaries still actively participating in the scheme.
Extended Deadlines and Impact
The deadline for completing the essential e-KYC process for the Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme, initially set for March 31, has undergone several extensions. This critical verification step was first granted an extension in November 2025, followed by further reprieves in December 2025 and March 2026. Most recently, the state government has extended the deadline once more, now pushing it to April 30, 2026. This continued grace period offers beneficiaries a final chance to comply with the e-KYC requirements. However, this extension also signifies the potential for an additional increase in the number of permanently closed accounts if a considerable number of individuals still fail to complete the necessary verification by the new cutoff date, further refining the active beneficiary count.
Scheme's Origins and Efficacy
The 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, designed to provide monthly financial aid of Rs 1500 to eligible women, was introduced shortly before the state Assembly elections in 2024. This initiative was widely perceived as a pivotal factor contributing to the substantial electoral success of the Mahayuti government. Despite placing a significant financial strain on the state's budget, the scheme has been instrumental in garnering support. The e-KYC process, however, has also highlighted some unexpected challenges. A particular instance saw over 24 lakh beneficiaries temporarily halt their monthly stipends due to a misinterpretation of a question during the e-KYC. The question, phrased in Marathi, asked, 'Tumchya Gharatle koni sarkari nokrit nahi na?' ('Nobody in your family works for the government, right?'). Some respondents, due to the question's wording, incorrectly answered 'yes' when the appropriate response should have been 'no', leading to their misclassification as government employees.
Ongoing Scrutiny and Resolution
Following the identification of over 24 lakh beneficiaries who were potentially misclassified due to the ambiguously framed e-KYC question, a thorough review was initiated. This detailed scrutiny aimed to rectify the erroneous classifications and ensure that genuine beneficiaries continued to receive their financial assistance. Out of the 24 lakh accounts flagged for review, approximately 20 lakh have been confirmed as legitimate and are now proceeding without interruption. However, the verification process for the remaining beneficiaries within this group is still underway. The state continues to investigate these cases to ensure fairness and accuracy in the distribution of funds under the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, alongside the broader e-KYC compliance drive.
