Mumbai: The simmering political storm over the Mahayuti government’s ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladi Bahin Yojana’ intensified with the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) taking the recent CAG Report’s cautionary signals on state finances, to question if the state regime is a ‘gang of bandits’. State Congress President Harshwardhan Sapkal, Nationalist Congress Party (SP) National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut attacking the government over the CAG revelations pointing to Rs 3,541-cr excess spending plus significant shortcomings in financial management, budget estimation and expenditure control. Sapkal slammed the Mahayuti for allegedly committing a financial fraud of Rs 3,500-cr, while Crasto termed the removal of 92-lakh women beneficiaries as ‘betrayal’ and Raut accusing that the scheme was launched only to collect the votes of ‘Ladki Bahin’ in the 2024 Assembly elections. The Congress chief reiterated that a potential welfare scheme degenerated into another vehicle for corruption as the “step-brothers in power have looted their own beloved sisters”. “After looting every sector of the government, they have plundered the ‘Ladmi Bahin’ scheme… Is this a government or a gang of bandits,” demanded Sapkal sharply. Various Reasons Terming the government’s move to delete 38 pc (92 lakh) ‘Ladki Bahins’ from the scheme for various reasons as ‘fooling’ the women of Maharashtra to grab their votes. “They are citing different excuses for this act… Then how were they eligible before the elections, they took the votes, gave them money for so long, and now they are betraying them,” said an irked Crasto. Sapkal pointed out how, as per the CAG Report, an amount of Rs. 29,693-cr was budgeted for the scheme, but the government spent over Rs 3,500-cr beyond the sanctioned amount without maintaining proper records or accounts, and unsolicited withdrawals. Schemes Sacrificed “Spending on housing had fallen by 54 pc, and expenditure on water supply-sanitation slashed by nearly 32 pc. The CAG had cautioned against prioritizing the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme at the cost of other critical infrastructure projects that could hit long-term sustainability of public services,” Sapkal pointed out. He further stated that an amount of Rs 3,490-cro intended for the ‘Lek Ladki’ scheme (beloved daughters, launched in Oct. 2023) from economically backward families was allegedly diverted to ‘Ladki Bahin’, and earlier funds from the Social Justice Department were also rerouted. Raut and other SS (UBT) leaders raised questions on the government’s financial management as the CAG’s findings vindicate their stance over how the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme was launched hastily for reaping a rich electoral harvest in November 2024. Several NCP (SP) leaders demanded a detailed explanation for the excess expenditure red-flagged by the CAG, deflecting funds from other projects to ‘Ladki Bahin’ and pinning accountability for all such irregularities. The MVA allies urged the Mahayuti to present a comprehensive report on the scheme and fixing accountability in the legislature while ensuring that genuine beneficiaries are not deprived of the assistance. Major lapses in fiscal discipline Among other things, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Report of 2024-2025, pinpointed an excess spend of Rs. 3,541-cr, plus major lapses in fiscal discipline over the flagship ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme. It said that the Women and Child Development Department spent Rs. 33,237 cr against the sanctioned Rs. 29,693-cr – or, Rs. 3,541-cr extra – without providing a proper explanation for the overspend. Announced with great fanfare barely months ahead of the 2024 Assembly polls, the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme promised a monthly dole of Rs 1,500 - with a promise to hike it to Rs 2,100 per month – to eligible women, if the Mahayuti was returned to power. It emerged the Mahayuti’s winning initiative, helped strengthen its support among the women, especially rural voters and enabled the coalition romp home – barely six months after it was badly mauled in the Parliament elections of 2024.
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