The Maharashtra government has initiated a large-scale verification drive to probe over 26 lakh beneficiaries of its 'Ladki Bahin Yojana' amid concerns over widespread ineligibility and misuse, officials from the state Women and Child Development department said on Saturday, reported PTI. 

District administrations have been instructed to physically verify the applications and eligibility of the women listed under the scheme, following specific criteria. Meanwhile, anganwadi workers have been assigned to conduct door-to-door inspections to identify and remove ineligible claimants, the officials added.

The scheme permits benefits for only two women per household between the ages of 21 and 65. However, officials noted that there have been instances where more than two women from the same family, or women outside the specified age range, have received the monthly payment of Rs 1,500, reported PTI.