In the recent past, state Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat accused the Ajit Pawar-led Finance Department of high-handedness in what he termed as illegal diversion of funds from his department without his knowledge
Minister of Maharashtra, Chandrashekhar Bawankule. File Pic
Minister of Maharashtra, Chandrashekhar Bawankule, on Wednesday categorically dismissed allegations that the state government redirected funds from other departments for the Ladki Bahin scheme, asserting that the administration led by Devendra Fadnavis is dedicated to protecting the vulnerable segments of society.
Recently, state Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat accused the Finance Department, headed by Ajit Pawar, of overreach, labelling it as an unlawful diversion of funds from his department without his consent, according to news agency PTI.
Recognising that the state is confronting financial limitations due to the women-centric welfare scheme implemented last year in anticipation of the assembly elections, the Shiv Sena minister stated that the state government ought to consider abolishing the Social Justice Department rather than intermittently reallocating the designated funds.
Under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, the flagship initiative of the Mahayuti government that was launched in August 2024, eligible women in the state receive a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500. The estimated annual budget for the scheme exceeds Rs 40,000 crore, reported PTI.
In response to queries concerning Shirsat's accusations, Bawankule, who concurrently holds the position of state chief of the ruling BJP, indicated, "There is a legal provision which ensures that funds earmarked for departments like Social Justice and Tribal Development cannot be diverted for any other purpose," reported PTI.
"These funds are reserved and the government has no power to override those provisions. At times, there could be delays in the disbursement of funds, but that should not be misconstrued as diversion," he added, reported PTI.
He asserted that the Fadnavis government was committed to safeguarding the budgetary allocations made for the vulnerable sections of society.
"This administration will never interfere with or misappropriate funds allocated to the Social Justice and Tribal Development departments," he said, reported PTI.
Shirsat had claimed on May 2 that funds of more than Rs 413 crore were reallocated from the Social Justice Department to finance the Ladki Bahin scheme. He also alleged that an additional Rs 335 crore had been diverted from the Tribal Development Department similarly.
Claiming that these reallocations were done unilaterally and in violation of constitutional safeguards, he had also said that if the government does not need the Social Justice Department, it might as well dissolve it entirely rather than continuing to undermine its financial capacity.
Days later, he again said such diversions would cripple operations of his department and erode public trust in the welfare programmes meant for underprivileged groups.
The issue brought to the fore the internal friction within the Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar's NCP.
Responding to the accusations, Ajit Pawar had earlier downplayed the matter and suggested that such disagreements should have been addressed within cabinet meetings rather than in public.
CM Fadnavis had also clarified that no funds were diverted from other departments for the Ladki Bahin scheme, and said those who do not understand the budget were making unsubstantiated claims.
"The charges (of fund diversion for the Ladki Bahin Yojana) are wrong. Only those who don't understand the budget can make such a charge. Rules say funds should be reserved for SCs/STs. Maximum funds should be reserved for personal benefit schemes and some for infrastructure development," the CM said in the last week of May, reported PTI.
"Ladki Bahin Yojana falls under the category of giving personal benefits to beneficiaries. So, if you give money to this scheme, then as per budgetary rules, it has to be shown under the Tribal Affairs Department and the Social Justice Department," he said, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
