Payment under Ladki Bahin scheme can't be hiked to Rs 2,100, says Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat amid fund diversion row

Indian Express

05-05-2025

Expressing dissatisfaction over the diversion of funds from his ministry by the Finance Ministry led by NCP's Ajit Pawar, Shiv Sena leader and Social Justice Department Minister Sanjay Shirsat asserted Monday that the Maharashtra government cannot increase the payments under the Ladki Bahin scheme to Rs 2,100 as promised.
The Ladki Bahin Yojana, launched in July 2024, provides Rs 1,500 per month to women whose annual family income does not exceed Rs 2.5 lakh. During the Assembly elections, Mahayuti leaders had promised to raise this amount to Rs 2,100, which was considered instrumental in helping the alliance come to power.
'It is a fact that the payout under the Ladki Bahin scheme cannot be increased to Rs 2,100 due to the financial burden on the Finance Department. However, this does not mean that the scheme will be scrapped. It will continue, and the government will fulfil its promise,' said the minister who is part of the Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. He expressed displeasure with the Finance Ministry, claiming that over Rs 400 crore has been diverted from his department to fund the scheme.
This marks the first time a minister from the ruling alliance has publicly admitted that the government is currently unable to fulfil its election promise with regard to the Ladki Bahin scheme.
Shirsat's discontent stems from the Finance Ministry's decision to reallocate approximately Rs 400 crore from the Social Justice Department to fund the Ladki Bahin scheme. He criticised this move as illegal, stating that funds designated for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities cannot be diverted for other purposes. 'I was not even informed that around Rs 400 crore has been diverted from the Social Justice Department. I came to know about it from the media. If there is no need for the Social Justice Department, then it can very well be closed,' he had said on Saturday.
The Finance Ministry's action has sparked criticism from within the ruling alliance and the Opposition. Terming the fund diversion an 'economic crisis', Opposition leaders said it was an injustice to SC and ST communities. Nationalist Congress Party (SP) president Jayant Patil stated, 'The funds allotted for SCs and STs are given as per the Constitution. Despite this, the money is being diverted.'
In March, during the first state budget presented by this government under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, no announcement was made regarding the anticipated increase in the payout of the Ladki Bahin scheme.
Asked about the promise, Fadnavis had then said, 'We are working on delivering the increased payout of Rs 2,100. But while presenting the budget, it is important to maintain financial discipline to keep the scheme sustainable. Funds have been allocated based on previous trends. If we determine that an increase is feasible, we will fulfil our promise.' He confirmed that beneficiaries would continue receiving Rs 1,500 in April.
Besides highlighting the challenges faced by the Mahayuti government in balancing its electoral promises with fiscal responsibilities, the controversy also sheds light on the increasing discord between the NCP and Shiv Sena.