Pune Women Face Ongoing Hurdles in Ladki Bahin Scheme E-KYC Corrections
Despite the reopening of the online portal last week, numerous beneficiaries of the Maharashtra state government's Ladki Bahin scheme in Pune are still encountering significant difficulties in correcting their e-KYC details. This persistent issue has left many women without their monthly financial assistance for several months, exacerbating financial strain and frustration.
Technical Glitches and Unanswered Helplines Plague Beneficiaries
Many women who have not received payments for the last three to four months report being unable to complete the e-KYC correction process due to technical problems on the portal. Compounding the issue, helplines established to assist beneficiaries often go unanswered, leaving them with limited recourse. Sarita, a beneficiary from Paud village in Pune district, shared her ordeal, stating, "I have not received the money for the last four months. I was informed it was due to incomplete KYC, but now that the portal has reopened, I am unable to log in."
Although the correction window remains open until March 31, access barriers persist. One anonymous woman, who has missed payments for two months, suggested, "The government should set up special offices at the district level to help address the situation." This call for localized support highlights the digital divide and lack of assistance faced by many.
Root Causes and Government Response
The problem intensified after physical verification by Anganwadi workers was discontinued. Field staff had protested against this additional workload, forcing beneficiaries to rely solely on digital options with minimal guidance. Last week, Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare addressed the issue via a post on X, acknowledging numerous complaints about beneficiaries not receiving payouts due to incorrect e-KYC selections.
"Several eligible beneficiaries who completed e-KYC still did not receive the scheme's benefits. In view of this, all such beneficiaries are being given another opportunity to correct their e-KYC details. Accordingly, a facility was made available on the online portal to make corrections in e-KYC details till March 31," the minister stated. The department emphasized its primary goal is to ensure all eligible women receive the scheme's benefits.
Broader Implications and Financial Context
Officials noted that payments for January and February are still pending, partly due to the model code of conduct, which has added to earlier delays. With the state budget approaching next month, beneficiaries have expressed concerns over the scheme's continuity. This anxiety persists despite Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's recent indication that the monthly amount might increase from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,100 in the future, even as the state grapples with financial pressures from multiple welfare schemes.
The e-KYC correction process will continue until March 31, with plans to verify those unable to complete it later. The issue originated from a poorly worded question in the e-KYC form, which incorrectly marked over 24 lakh women as state government employees, leading to the suspension of their Rs 1,500 monthly assistance.
The Maharashtra government allocates approximately Rs 3,700 crore monthly for the Ladki Bahin scheme, supporting around 2.25 crore women across the state. The ongoing technical and administrative challenges in Pune underscore the need for more robust digital infrastructure and support systems to ensure timely and accurate disbursement of benefits.
