BJP Alleges Mass Deletion of Women Beneficiaries from Maiyan Samman Scheme, Demands Probe

The BJP has accused the Jharkhand government of removing around 1.5 lakh women from the beneficiary list of the Maiyan Samman Yojana, raising questions over the implementation of the welfare scheme and demanding transparency in the selection process.

BJP state spokesperson Ramakant Mahto alleged that the scheme, which was projected as a major initiative to promote women's financial security ahead of the Assembly elections, has seen a significant reduction in its beneficiary base since the government came to power.

According to Mahto, the government had promised annual financial assistance of Rs 30,000 to women aged between 18 and 50 years before the elections. He claimed that the number of beneficiaries was subsequently reduced from 50 lakh to 35 lakh, with another 1.5 lakh women now allegedly removed from the list.

Questioning the rationale behind the deletions, Mahto asked why women who were included in the beneficiary list before the elections were now being declared ineligible. He also questioned whether the government had conducted proper verification and informed the affected women before removing their names.

The BJP has demanded that the state government publish the names of all 1.5 lakh women reportedly dropped from the scheme, along with the specific reasons for their removal. The party has also called for the restoration of benefits to all eligible women and a high-level inquiry into the alleged irregularities.

Mahto further demanded strict action against officials if the investigation establishes that beneficiaries were wrongly excluded or that the process was marred by administrative lapses.

The controversy has brought renewed attention to the implementation of one of Jharkhand's major women-centric welfare schemes, with the key questions now revolving around beneficiary verification, transparency and the continued delivery of financial assistance to eligible women.