India, July 27 -- After using Aadhaar-based e-KYC to identify lakhs of ineligible beneficiaries under its flagship scheme - Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (MMLBY) - the Maharashtra government has made Aadhaar-based verification mandatory for beneficiaries of all its welfare schemes. The state electronics, information technology and artificial intelligence department issued a notification on Friday to strengthen beneficiary identification, prevent duplication and ensure that welfare benefits reach only genuine recipients.

Under the new policy, people applying for benefits who do not have an Aadhaar number will have to enrol for one. The government, however, has provided alternative verification mechanisms for those who have not bee...