The orchestrated campaign targeting the Maharashtra government, led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, shows no sign of abating. Mainstream media outlets persist in their relentless criticism of the Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme, framing it as a strategic liability—an Achilles’ heel—rather than acknowledging its potential as a formidable asset, akin to Thor’s hammer, that paved the BJP’s path to electoral success. Adding fuel to the fire, numerous media reports have recently gone viral, alleging that the Maharashtra government plans to disqualify women who own four-wheelers from availing benefits under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.
The Indian Express wrote, ‘Maharashtra to ‘disqualify’ women with four-wheelers from receiving benefits under flagship Ladki Bahin Yojana.’
Mirror now claimed, ‘Beneficiaries Reviewed. Car owners out of Ladki Bahin scheme, no aid for four-wheeler owners; govt drops car owners from scheme.’
Sakal Media asserted, ‘What are the new criteria for Ladki Bhaini Yojana? Which women will have their money stopped?’
ABP Majha, India Tv, Punjab Kesari, Lastely, and Lokmat Times also shared a similar claim.
We initiated our fact-checking process by conducting a relevant Google search to verify the eligibility criteria for the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Our search led us to an India Today article published on October 16, 2024, which outlined the disqualifications for the scheme. According to the article, applicants would be ineligible if:
• Their family’s annual income exceeds ₹2.50 lakh.
• Any family member files income tax returns.
• Any family member is a regular/permanent employee in a government department, public sector undertaking, board, or local body, or is receiving a government pension after retirement. However, outsourced employees, voluntary workers, and contract workers with an income of up to ₹2.50 lakh remain eligible.
• The applicant is already receiving ₹1,500 or more per month from another government financial scheme.
• Any family member is a current or former MP/MLA.
• Any family member holds a position of authority in a government board, corporation, or undertaking.
• Any family member owns a four-wheeler (excluding tractors).
The India Today article, published a month before the Maharashtra elections, explicitly mentions that ownership of a four-wheeler registered in a family member’s name disqualifies an applicant.
Furthermore, an Economic Times article from August 2024 also lists the same four-wheeler ownership clause under disqualifications. Additionally, a report by ClearTax corroborates these findings, reinforcing the legitimacy of this criterion.
Given this ample and consistent evidence, recent media reports suggesting that a new rule now excludes women who own four-wheelers from the scheme are misleading and factually incorrect. The then, Maharashtra government, under Eknath Shinde, had clearly stated from the scheme’s inception that individuals with a four-wheeler registered in their family’s name would not be eligible.
Such conditions are designed to ensure that the benefits reach the underprivileged and economically weaker sections rather than those who are financially self-sufficient. This is not the first instance of misinformation regarding the scheme. In January 2025, misleading social media posts claimed that 20 lakh women had been unfairly removed from the scheme, despite the government explicitly stating at the launch that women already benefiting from other government welfare schemes would be ineligible.
The propagation of twisted narratives about a scheme that is aiding hundreds of thousands of disadvantaged women only serves to create unnecessary confusion and doubt in the public’s mind. Such misinformation, particularly from mainstream media, is a blatant example of irresponsible journalism.
| Claim | Recent media reports suggest that women who own four-wheelers have been newly disqualified from the Ladki Bahin Yojana. |
| Claimed by | The Indian Express and the mirror now |
| Fact Check | This is misleading, as the disqualification criterion regarding four-wheeler ownership has been present since the scheme’s inception. |
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