top of page

By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

MVA accuses Mahayuti of ‘banditry, betrayal’

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...

MVA accuses Mahayuti of ‘banditry, betrayal’

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.

US Vice President JD Vance, his family arrive in Delhi

  • PTI
  • Apr 21, 2025
  • 2 min read


NEW DELHI: US Vice President J D Vance arrived here on Monday on a four-day visit to India against the backdrop of ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement between the two strategic partners to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance is accompanied by his Indian-origin wife Usha Chilukuri and their three children Ewan, Vivek, Mirabel and a delegation of senior US government officials.


The US Vice President and the Second Lady were received at the Palam air base by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.


The American leader was also accorded a ceremonial welcome on his arrival.

In the evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a dinner for the Vances after holding wide-ranging talks with the US Vice President.


External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Indian ambassador to US Vinay Mohan Kwatra are expected to be part of the Indian team to be led by PM Modi at the talks.


The focus of the meeting is likely to be on early finalisation of the proposed bilateral trade pact as well as ways to boost overall trajectory of ties between the two countries.


Besides Delhi, Vance and his family will travel to Jaipur and Agra.

Vance's first visit to India comes weeks after US President Donald Trump imposed and then paused a sweeping tariff regime against around 60 countries, including India.


New Delhi and Washington are now holding negotiations to seal a bilateral trade agreement that is expected to address a variety of issues, including tariff and market access.


Vance and his family are scheduled to leave for Jaipur on Monday night.

In Delhi, the US Vice President and his family are staying at the ITC Maurya Sheraton hotel.


On April 22, the Vances will visit a number of historical sites in Jaipur, including the Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort. The fort is a UNESCO world heritage site.


In the afternoon, the US Vice President is scheduled to address a gathering at the Rajasthan International Centre in Jaipur.


Vance is expected to delved into broader aspects of India-US relations under the Donald Trump administration during his speech that is expected to be attended by diplomats, foreign policy experts, Indian government officials and academia.


The US Vice President and his family will travel to Agra on the morning of April 23, people familiar with the matter said.


In Agra, they will visit the Taj Mahal and Shilpgram which is an open air emporium showcasing various Indian artefacts, they said.


After concluding their visit to Agra, the Vances will return to Jaipur on the second half of April 23.


The US Vice President and his family will depart for the US from Jaipur on April 24, according to the people cited above.

Comments

bottom of page