BMC Cracks Down on Yojana Application Fraud

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has lodged a complaint against an individual for allegedly charging fees from residents in the M/East ward, which includes the areas of Govandi and Mankhurd. This action comes after the BMC received a report from the assistant municipal commissioner of the M East ward, highlighting that the individual was collecting INR 100 from residents to facilitate online applications for the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ scheme, despite the process being free.

The complaint, filed at the Deonar police station on Monday, July 15, targets an unidentified individual and underscores the importance of public awareness regarding such fraudulent activities. Civic authorities have urged residents to report any suspicious behaviour and have warned against paying money to unauthorised persons for the application process. To mitigate the risk of such incidents in the future, the BMC plans to establish support desks at the ward level. These desks will offer assistance and information to residents, ensuring they receive accurate guidance and do not fall victim to fraud. This proactive approach aims to protect residents and enhance the transparency of the application process.

The ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana’ is modelled after the Madhya Pradesh government’s ‘Ladli Bahen’ initiative. It aims to support women’s economic development by providing a monthly allowance of INR 1,500 to women aged between 21 and 65 years. The scheme’s objective is to empower women financially and support their economic growth.

In light of the recent fraudulent activities, the BMC has extended the application deadline from July 15 to August 31. This extension allows more time for eligible women to apply without the risk of falling prey to scams. Online application forms are available at citizen facilitation centres across various civic wards. Additionally, Anganwadi workers in all 24 administrative wards of the city are assisting eligible women with the online application process. The BMC’s actions underscore its commitment to safeguarding residents from fraud and ensuring the smooth implementation of welfare schemes. By setting up ward-level support desks and extending the application deadline, the BMC aims to provide a secure and accessible application process for all eligible women.