The funds, originally earmarked under the Social Justice Department for the welfare of Scheduled Caste communities, were redirected to the Women and Child Development Department on Thursday. The purpose: to disburse the May installment of ₹1,500 to eligible women under the Ladki Bahin Scheme. This revelation has triggered sharp criticism from opposition parties and sparked debate across political and social circles.
According to reports, the Social Justice Department had allocated ₹3,960 crore for the implementation of the Ladki Bahin Scheme. Of this, ₹410.30 crore specifically intended for Scheduled Caste welfare was transferred to ensure timely distribution of subsidies to women beneficiaries. The payment of May’s installment under the scheme began on Wednesday.
This is not the first time funds from welfare departments have been reallocated. So far, a cumulative total of ₹1,827 crore from the Tribal Development Department and Social Justice Department has also been diverted to fund the Ladki Bahin Scheme. Critics argue that such fund transfers compromise the core purpose of these departments and harm marginalized communities.
Adding to the growing unrest, concerns have also been raised over the inclusion of ineligible women in the beneficiary list, further intensifying scrutiny of the scheme’s execution.
Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat had earlier criticized Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar for such financial decisions. With the latest diversion, tensions within the Mahayuti alliance are likely to escalate. “The government is cutting the budget of essential departments just to provide ₹1,500 per month. This has caused a budgetary shortfall of ₹7,314 crore in the department,” sources revealed.
Notably, during election campaigns, the Mahayuti government had promised to offer ₹2,100 per month to women under the scheme. However, given the financial strain in providing even the ₹1,500 installment, the implementation of the full promised benefit appears unlikely in the near future.
As the debate continues, the fund diversion for the Ladki Bahin Yojana is expected to become a flashpoint in Maharashtra’s political landscape in the coming days.