Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin scheme strains budgets and alliances

Maharashtra's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme, which helped bring the Mahayuti alliance back to power, is now causing significant fiscal strain and internal rifts. Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat has publicly criticised the Finance Ministry, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, after ₹450 crore allocated to his department was redirected for the scheme's payouts.

"I've learned that around ₹410 crore has been taken away from my department. I wasn't kept in the loop about this," Shirsat said. "If you don't value the social justice department or feel it's unnecessary, then just shut it down. There's a limit to my tolerance." Shirsat's ire is directed at the Finance Ministry, claiming that funds allocated to his ministry cannot legally be repurposed without his consent.

Diversion of Funds

The Finance Ministry has diverted ₹410 crore from Shirsat's Social Justice Ministry and ₹335 crore from the Tribal Welfare Ministry for the Ladki Bahin scheme. This follows a previous diversion of ₹7,000 crore in March. Shirsat believes the action is unlawful and insists that the funds are meant for social welfare projects and cannot be used elsewhere.