Pune: Many beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana have raised concerns about unpaid instalments for Nov and Dec, even after finishing the verification process. Several have taken to social media to express their frustration, seeking clarity from state govt about delayed payments, including the March instalment, as the financial year comes to an end.The issue gained attention after women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare announced that Feb payments would soon be released. She stated that the process to release Feb payments had begun and that funds would be credited to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts within two to three days. She also reassured that the scheme would continue effectively in the future.The govt has set March 31 as the final deadline for eKYC completion to ensure beneficiaries remain eligible for both pending and future instalments. “We have completed eKYC, but there is no information on Nov and Dec payments or March payout,” said a beneficiary.Officials noted that while 2.6 crore beneficiaries were initially identified, the number is expected to fall below 1.56 crore after verification and removal of ineligible applicants, including govt employees. The final list of beneficiaries will be confirmed in early April after the eKYC deadline. Eligible women have been encouraged to complete the process to avoid disruption in receiving benefits.Anganwadi workers have played a crucial role in identifying beneficiaries, spreading awareness and assisting with documentation and digital verification.However, both beneficiaries and anganwadi workers have reported multiple challenges, including technical issues, document mismatches and delays in verification.Many women, including anganwadi staff, have not received payments for the last three months. “Women approach us daily asking why payments have stopped, but we have no clear answers. Even if we get the Feb payout, what about the payout of the previous months?” a Pune-based anganwadi worker questioned.Frontline workers have also highlighted the increased workload involving data entry, verification and support for digital documentation, often without adequate technical assistance. In rural and tribal regions, poor internet connectivity and limited digital literacy have further slowed down the eKYC process, increasing the burden on workers.Officials from the women and child development department said verification is still in progress and assured that beneficiaries who complete eKYC and meet eligibility criteria will receive all pending payments once the final list is prepared after the March 31 deadline.
