Mahayuti Minister express displeasure for using Social Justice Dept funds for Ladki Bahin-OxBig News Network

Maharashtra’s Minister for Social Justice, Sanjay Shirsat 
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

Maharashtra’s Minister for Social Justice, Sanjay Shirsat voiced his dissatisfaction over his own government’s policy on Monday and reiterated that his department’s funds were diverted to fund schemes like Ladki Bahin, which is unacceptable and stated that the government will not increase the Rs. 1,500 to 2,100 as promised under the Ladki Bahin scheme due to financial burden.

Mr. Shirsat acknowledged that the State is going through a financial crisis, facing difficulty in funding Ladki Bahin. He stated that the government won’t raise the Rs. 1500 instalment to Rs. 2100. “It is a fact that the Ladki Bahin scheme has increased the financial burden, however, it will not be scrapped, as Ladki Bahins has supported us and got us elected.”

Ladki Bahin Yojana was launched in July 2024, before the State Assembly elections and promised to raise the monthly instalment of Rs.1500 to Rs.2100 as part of their election campaign. Under the scheme, women with annual family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh are provided Rs 1,500 per month. This is also likely to be the first time that a Mahayuti minister acknowledged that the election agenda of raising instalments could not be fulfilled. 

Mr. Shirsat felt disappointed after he realised the Rs 400 crore from the department was diverted to fund the Ladki Bahin yojana. Last week, he called the move unlawful, saying the funds allocated for the welfare of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities cannot be diverted.

Shiv Sena leader Mr. Shirsat on Monday claimed that the department did not receive the 11.8% allocated funds under the State Budget and urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar not to cut the funds or the Social Justice department would shut down. “The state budget is 2.5 lakh crores, and as per the rules, the Social Justice department was supposed to receive 11.8% of funds, that is 29500 crores. However, the department received Rs. 22658 crores only. Further cuts have been made without consulting. The department has Rs.3000 crores to give, if this continues, then it will become difficult to sustain,” said Mr. Shirsat, adding that fund Ladki Bahin Yojana, but don’t cause injustice to the Social Justice Department. 

“Ladkin Bahin yojana will be continued as it is our commitment, the government has to find other ways, maybe take loans,” he said. 

Mr. Shirsat’s criticism of his own government has highlighted the increasing rift in the Mahayuti and brewing tensions among the NCP and ShivSena.

The opposition also lashed out at the Mahayuti government for failing to keep election promises. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said, “The government promised women Rs 1,500, but only Rs 500 is being given. They made tall promises of giving Rs 2,100, but now Ajit Pawar has denied the promises to increase the payout.” NCP (SP) Jayant Patil called the fund diversion an economic crisis and injustice to SC and ST communities, as the money was given by the constitution. 

Meanwhile, while responding to Mr. Shirsat’s claims, Ajit Pawar stated, “Efforts will be made to resolve the issue. However, this could have been handled internally and discussed in the upcoming cabinet meeting.”