New Delhi: Under pressure over allegations that payments under his government's Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana are being made to ineligible persons, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has said that the irregularities will be plugged.

The statement comes amid charges of such illegal beneficiaries availing the scheme, with reports of a large chunk of illegal beneficiaries being from the home districts of two Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, Thane and Pune, respectively, along with some senior ministers.

“The benefits of the scheme being claimed by some people illegally will be stopped,” said Fadnavis, reported Deccan Herald.

He added that an inquiry is being conducted into over 26 lakh people allegedly claiming the monthly benefits under the scheme.

The cash benefit scheme allows only two women per household between the ages of 21 and 65 to receive benefits.

“However, it has come to light that more than two women from the same family, or those outside the age bracket, have availed themselves of the monthly payment of Rs 1,500,” said Fadnavis.

When deputy chief minister Pawar, who is the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) President, was asked about the reactions, he said: “So, shall we close it.”

Meanwhile, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MLA Rohit Pawar alleged that the scheme was brought out by the Mahayuti alliance for a political motive.

“How were fake applications accepted even though the government had all the mechanisms in place for accepting applications, scrutinizing applications, and approving applications for the Ladki Bahin scheme? The data showing the highest number of fake applications in the districts of senior ministers including both Deputy Chief Ministers is extremely shocking,” said Rohit Pawar.

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