He said the allocation for the scheme was made through the Tribal Affairs and Social Justice Departments in resonance with budgetary guidelines. The ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme provides Rs 1,500 to women belonging to weaker sections of society
-1748523283531_d.png "No funds diverted from other departments for Ladki Bahin, clarifies Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis")
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that there is no wrongdoing in the allocation or disbursal of funds under the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme. File pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday clarified that no funds have been diverted from other departments for the government’s flagship ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme. He also asserted that those who do not understand budget are making these false allegations, reported PTI.
CM Fadnavis further clarified that these funds were allocated through the Tribal Affairs and Social Justice Departments in resonance with budgetary guidelines.
Addressing the media, he also mentioned that a certain budget is mandatorily reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
He also stated that maximum funds should be earmarked for personal benefit schemes while keeping some aside for infrastructure development.
The ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme provides Rs 1,500 to women belonging to the weaker sections of the society.
Speaking on the context, CM said, “The charges (by opposition that funds were diverted from other departments for 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 or STs. Maximum funds should be reserved for personal benefit schemes and some for infrastructure development. Ladki Bahin Yojana falls under the category of giving personal benefit 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 also highlighted that Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who currently holds the finance portfolio, has already explained this issue.
Fadnavis further claimed that the budget of the Tribal Affairs and Social Justice departments has nearly increased by 1.45 times for the year 2025-26.
“This (Ladki Bahin funds disbursed through other departments) is a type of accounting. No money has been diverted. There is no wrongdoing in this," he said.
The state Women and Child Development Department scheme runs the scheme, he said.
The 'Ladki Bahin' scheme played a key role in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti's massive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024 in November.
Under this scheme, women between the age bracket of 21 to 65, with an annual income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh, are eligible for getting Rs 1,500.
Earlier this month, Sanjay Shirsat, Maharashtra Social Justice Minister, accused the Pawar-led finance department for illegal diversion of funds from his department without his knowledge.
According to Shirsat, the state is facing a financial crisis because of the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme, which was launched last year ahead of the assembly polls. He asserted that it would be better government to shut the Social Justice Department instead of periodic diversion of the funds allocated to it.
(With PTI inputs)
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