Minister highlights budget challenges faced by state departments due to the financial burden of the scheme.
Chhagan Bhujbal, Maharashtra’s food and civil supplies minister and a member of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), has raised concerns regarding the financial implications of the Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme. This initiative, which began in June 2024, offers a monthly transfer of Rs 1,500 to women aged 21 to 65 from families earning less than Rs 2.5 lakh annually. According to Bhujbal, the scheme has led to significant budget constraints across various state departments, impacting their operations.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Bhujbal pointed out that the expenditure associated with the Ladki Bahin scheme, estimated at Rs 40,000 to 45,000 crore, is hampering the implementation of other important initiatives, such as the Aanandacha Shidha scheme. The latter provides grocery kits at a subsidized rate of Rs 100 to families with saffron ration cards during the festival season. Bhujbal stated that this financial pressure means that certain projects cannot be executed this year.
Reports have indicated that the Aanandacha Shidha scheme, which costs around Rs 500 crore and benefits approximately 1.6 crore individuals, might be halted due to insufficient funds. Bhujbal expressed his concern that if the state continues to distribute money at the current rate, it would likely encounter more severe financial problems in the future.
The Ladki Bahin scheme has sparked controversy, particularly regarding its financial sustainability. Monthly audits have revealed instances of ineligible participants receiving benefits. The state government allocates Rs 3,700 crore monthly to support 2.41 crore beneficiaries under this scheme. A review conducted in July uncovered that over 14,000 men had fraudulently enrolled in the program by misrepresenting their identities, costing the state Rs 21.44 crore. Consequently, payments to these individuals have been suspended.
Bhujbal has previously highlighted the financial burdens imposed by the Ladki Bahin scheme. On August 5, he indicated that the state would not provide food kits under the Aanandacha Shidha scheme this year, attributing this decision to the fiscal constraints resulting from the Ladki Bahin initiative. He remarked that if the exchequer allocates Rs 45,000 crore annually for the scheme, other expenses would inevitably feel the impact.
The situation has led to growing concerns among various stakeholders, including beneficiaries and state officials. With financial resources being stretched thin, the long-term viability of the Ladki Bahin scheme and its implications for other essential government services remain uncertain. Bhujbal’s statements reflect a pressing need for a reassessment of funding strategies to ensure that the state’s financial health is not compromised while addressing the welfare of its citizens.
