Anganwadi Workers Boycott Ladki Bahin Verification, 69 Lakh Beneficiaries at Risk
Kolhapur: A widespread boycott by anganwadi sevikas (workers) and madatnis (helpers) across Maharashtra has placed approximately 69 lakh Ladki Bahin beneficiaries in jeopardy of losing their monthly Rs 1,500 installment. The workers are refusing to conduct physical verification under the state scheme, citing excessive workload and lack of proper compensation.
Workers' Demands and Government Deadline
Rajesh Singh, state secretary of the Maharashtra Rajya Anganwadi Sevika Sangh, outlined two primary demands from the unions involved in the boycott. "The government must establish a fixed service fee for physical verification since eKYC will be an annual process. Additionally, it must provide protection from political pressure, as local leaders often attempt to add names to the eligibility list, creating potential risks for workers," Singh explained.
The government had set December 31, 2025, as the strict deadline for completing online eKYC under the Ladki Bahin scheme, refusing any extensions. Many beneficiaries reportedly selected incorrect options during the process, leading to failed verification and missed December installments. This prompted Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare to direct anganwadi workers to complete physical verification in such cases.
Excessive Workload and Union Action
On January 30, an action committee representing seven anganwadi unions wrote to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Minister Tatkare, stating that anganwadi workers already have a defined set of duties mandated by central and state governments. These responsibilities range from teaching and meal preparation to health surveys and nutritional monitoring, totaling around a dozen tasks.
"As these tasks already number around a dozen, workers will not take on additional 'non-scheme' responsibilities like Ladki Bahin verifications," a union member emphasized. The agitation began with workers tying black ribbons at their workplaces and has now escalated to a full boycott, according to anganwadi workers' leader Jayashri Patil.
Verification Halt and Beneficiary Statistics
Kolhapur ZP District Programme Officer Sujit Ingawale confirmed that workers in some areas have halted the verification drive, which involves checking whether applicants meet eligibility criteria such as income limits and employment status. Of the 2.43 crore enrolled Ladki Bahin beneficiaries, 1.74 crore have completed online eKYC so far.
While some applicants might be ineligible, officials believe a large portion are genuine beneficiaries. The government originally planned to release the December 2025 and January 2026 installments together, but the State Election Commission objected due to upcoming municipal elections, permitting only the December disbursal. Those who became eligible after December 31, 2025, will receive their January and February installments together.
Government Response and Scheme Details
Kailas Pagare, State Commissioner of the Integrated Child Development Scheme, has written to the unions urging them to resume verification work and assured them that a meeting with government representatives would be convened soon. Minister Tatkare was unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.
Maharashtra has 1.25 lakh anganwadi workers and nearly one lakh helpers, some of whom are also deployed as booth-level officers during elections. The annual outlay for the Ladki Bahin scheme is approximately Rs 45,000 crore, highlighting its significant scale and impact on beneficiaries across the state.
