India, May 16 -- Ahead of the 2024 Assembly elections, the populist Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojna was unveiled with cinematic flourish. The promise of Rs.1,500 monthly dole for underprivileged women with annual income below Rs.2.5 lakh, was trumpeted as the reason behind the Mahayuti's stunning triumph, after the poor show in the Lok Sabha elections.

Although 24.3 million women benefitted from the scheme, the applause gave way to an uneasy arithmetic post-elections. Soon after assuming office chief minister Devendra Fadnavis announced a pruning of the list, as it was suspected many undeserving beneficiaries were gaining from the scheme; and the finance department missed no opportunity to point out its drain on the state's coffers....