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Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
26.3 lakh ineligible women received monthly payout under Ladki Bahin scheme in Maharashtra, reveals women and child welfare minister Aditi Tatkare
Mumbai: State women and child welfare minister Aditi Tatkare revealed that as many as 26.3 lakh ineligible women received the stipend meant for underprivileged women under the state's flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. The ineligible beneficiaries have now been suspended. The revelation comes shortly after reports that 14,298 men fraudulently received the Rs 1,500 per month stipend, causing a loss of Rs 21.4 crore to the state exchequer. In a statement on X, Tatkare said that her department undertook a scrutiny of the scheme by seeking information from all govt departments. The IT department reported that approximately 26.3 lakh beneficiaries availed of the benefits despite being ineligible. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai "It has been found that some beneficiaries were availing benefits of multiple schemes. Some families had more than two beneficiaries. And in some cases, men applied for the scheme," Tatkare said on X. Since last month, the benefits of the 26.3 lakh ineligible beneficiaries have been temporarily suspended. Around 2.2 crore eligible applicants received the stipend for the month of June. Tatkare said the information about the 26.3 lakh ineligible women whose benefits were temporarily suspended will be verified by the respective district collectors. The benefits of those who are found eligible after this exercise will be resumed. "Regarding the action to be taken against fraudulent beneficiaries who misled the govt and availed benefits through improper means, a suitable decision will be taken at the govt level," she said on X. The Ladki Bahin scheme provides a stipend of Rs 1,500 per month to married, divorced, widowed, deserted, and destitute women, aged between 21 and 65, whose annual family income is below Rs 2.5 lakh and who are domiciled in the state. One eligible unmarried woman from each family will also be considered for the scheme. The Ladki Bahin scheme was a game-changer and was among the factors which powered the landslide victory of the Mahayuti alliance in the 2024 assembly polls. Soon after he took charge in Dec 2024, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced that the beneficiaries would be scrutinised. By Feb 2025, the state dropped 5 lakh ineligible beneficiaries from the scheme. This included those who crossed the age of 65 years and beneficiaries under the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, which also provides a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500 per month, have been removed from the scheme. Beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana can avail of benefits under another govt scheme only if the combined benefit is sealed at Rs 1,500. By April, the state govt reduced the stipend of 8 lakh beneficiaries of its flagship Mukhya Mantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana because they were also receiving benefits under another govt scheme: the Namo Shetkari Mahasanmnan Nidhi.
Time of India
30-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Poll-bound state's supplementary budget: 57,509 cr
Mumbai: Just three months into the financial year, the cash-strapped Mahayuti govt which faces local body polls across the state, tabled supplementary budgetary demands worth a steep Rs 57,509 crore in the state legislative assembly on Monday. This will add to the financial strain of the state which not only faces its highest-ever debt projection at Rs 9.3 lakh crore but also its steepest revenue deficit at Rs 45,890 crore for 2025-26. Supplementary demands are additional funds sought by govt beyond allocations made in the budget tabled in March. The current demands account for 8.2% of the total expenditure projected in the state budget. In the coming year, the state faces rural and urban local body polls including to high profile municipal corporations like the BMC, which will see a prestige war between the govt and the Opposition. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai The demands raised are mainly aimed at urban and rural infrastructure projects like Metro, support for municipal bodies, road and irrigation schemes and the Simhastha Kumbh Mela. Also, allocations have been suggested for welfare schemes including the Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Health Scheme, Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, schemes for the elderly, payment for female anganwadi workers and scholarships for backward students. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Texas Introduces New Benefit for "Senior Drivers" Auto Savings Learn More Undo The urban development department which controls the state's 29 municipal corporations has been allocated the highest share in the demands at Rs 15,465 crore. The PWD department which has faced agitations from contractors over unpaid dues has been allocated Rs 9,068 crore. Other departments with large allocations include public health (Rs 6,952 crore), rural devt (Rs 4,733 crore) and social justice (Rs 3,799 crore). Last year, the state faced financial strain on account of pre-poll sops like the Ladki Bahin Yojana announced with an eye on the assembly polls. The sops were worth Rs 96,000 crore. In addition, the state introduced supplementary demands worth Rs 1.3 lakh crore after the budget. The Opposition has sharply criticised the supplementary demands. "The state budget had projected a revenue deficit of Rs 45,890 crore for this year. With the additional supplementary demands of Rs 57,509.7 crore, the total revenue deficit will rise above Rs 1 lakh crore. By the end of the year, it could rise beyond Rs 2 lakh crore. It shows the extent of financial mismanagement," said NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil. However, the finance department led by deputy CM Ajit Pawar said net burden of supplementary demands would be lower. Although gross supplementary demands are Rs 57,509 crore, net burden is Rs 40,644 crore, an official statement said.
The Hindu
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Congress devours Mahayuti Govt over serving 'meal in silver plates', asks where is farm loan waiver
Congress Legislature Party leader in Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar claimed on Wednesday (June 25, 2025) Estimate Committee members were served meal in silver plates at a conclave and called it 'extravagant spending' by the Mahayuti Government when the State's finances were under strain. The former State Minister also targeted the BJP-led government over 'deteriorating' law and order situation in Maharashtra, and what he called 'internal contradictions' within the ruling coalition which consists of the BJP, the NCP and the Shiv Sena. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr. Wadettiwar questioned the government's priorities, stating, 'When the State is virtually on the brink of bankruptcy, what was the need to serve meals in silver plates to members of the Estimate Committees in Mumbai?' He claimed each meal cost ₹5,000 and so much money was spent by the government at a time when farmers are being denied loan waivers, bonuses are not being paid, and large sections of tribal, social welfare, and Anganwadi schemes are allegedly facing budget cuts. Mumbai hosted a two-day conference of the Estimates Committees of Parliament and States from June 23. The event, held at Vidhan Bhavan (legislative complex) in south Mumbai, saw participation of chairpersons and members of such panels of Parliament, States and Union Territory legislatures. These financial committees, at the central and State/UT level, examine the expenditure estimates for each administrative department in respective budgets and also utilisation of funds. 'A majority of farmers in Vidarbha have been denied fresh crop loans. Anganwadi workers [who look after child care centres] aren't paid honorarium on time, and funds for schemes like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana remain pending. Yet, the government chooses to serve meals to estimates committee members in silver plates,' Mr. Wadettiwar said. The Opposition legislator maintained this act was nothing, but an insult to the poor. His party colleague and Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal also hit out at the Mahayuti Government over the issue of 'meal in silver plates'. 'They [Estimates Committee delegation members] feasted on ₹5,000 meal served in ₹550 worth of silver plate each. Was the fund spent linked to the money found in the Dhule government guest house when the State Estimates Committee was touring?' the MPCC chief asked in Mumbai. Last month, a huge amount of cash was recovered from a room in the government guest house in Dhule district ahead of the visit of State Estimates Committee members. 'They have no money for farmers' loan waivers or even ₹2,100 for a poor sister, but they have no shortage of funds for lavish banquets,' Mr. Sapkal remarked. Citing an incident in Pune, where a BJP office-bearer allegedly molested a policewoman, CLP leader Wadettiwar questioned the Mahayuti Government's moral authority to uphold law and order. 'If even women police personnel are not safe, what does that say about law and order? The Chief Minister [who also holds the home portfolio] is from the BJP. Will women get justice when the BJP men are accused of such acts?' he asked. Raising concerns over the recently approved Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway, Mr. Wadettiwar pointed to growing opposition among farmers, whose lands are likely to be acquired for the mega project. 'Some Ministers in the Cabinet opposed the project, but that's not enough. If Hasan Mushrif and Prakash Abitkar [both Ministers] truly object to it, they should quit the government. Mere token dissent while clinging to power is hypocrisy,' the former Minister emphasised. The 802-km-long expressway will link Pavnar in Wardha district (in Vidarbha) with Patradevi in Sindhudurg district on the Maharashtra-Goa border. The Congress MLA accused the Mahayuti Government of indulging in 'double standards', saying it has no money for the poor, but at the same time the ruling coalition is showing no restraint in spending on political elites. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, whose party is an ally of the Congress, also hit out at the State Government over the issue of corruption. 'The corruption taking place in Maharashtra cannot be compared to any scam in the world. It is a very high-level scam,' Mr. Raut alleged.
NDTV
26-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Row Over "Silver Plates" At Mumbai Conclave And A "Bankruptcy" Jibe
Nagpur: Congress Legislature Party leader in Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar claimed on Wednesday estimate committee members were served meal in silver plates at a conclave and called it "extravagant spending" by the Mahayuti government when the state's finances were under strain. The former state minister also targeted the BJP-led government over "deteriorating" law and order situation in Maharashtra, and what he called "internal contradictions" within the ruling coalition which consists of the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena. Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr Wadettiwar questioned the government's priorities, stating, "When the state is virtually on the brink of bankruptcy, what was the need to serve meals in silver plates to members of the Estimates Committees in Mumbai?" He claimed each meal cost Rs 5,000 and so much money was spent by the government at a time when farmers are being denied loan waivers, bonuses are not being paid, and large sections of tribal, social welfare, and Anganwadi schemes are allegedly facing budget cuts. Mumbai hosted a two-day conference of the Estimates Committees of Parliament and states from June 23. The event, held at Vidhan Bhavan (legislative complex) in south Mumbai, saw participation of chairpersons and members of such panels of Parliament, states and Union Territory legislatures. These financial committees, at the central and state/UT level, examine the expenditure estimates for each administrative department in respective budgets and also utilisation of funds. "A majority of farmers in Vidarbha have been denied fresh crop loans. Anganwadi workers (who look after child care centres) aren't paid honorarium on time, and funds for schemes like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana remain pending. Yet, the government chooses to serve meals to estimates committee members in silver plates," Mr Wadettiwar said. The opposition legislator maintained this act was nothing, but an insult to the poor. His party colleague and Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal also hit out at the Mahayuti government over the issue of "meal in silver plates". "They (estimates committee delegation members) feasted on Rs 5,000 meal served in Rs 550 worth of silver plate each. Was the fund spent linked to the money found in the Dhule government guest house when the state estimates committee was touring?" the MPCC chief asked in Mumbai. Last month, a huge amount of cash was recovered from a room in the government guest house in Dhule district ahead of the visit of state estimates committee members. "They have no money for farmers' loan waivers or even Rs 2,100 for a poor sister, but they have no shortage of funds for lavish banquets," Mr Sapkal remarked. Citing an incident in Pune, where a BJP office-bearer allegedly molested a policewoman, CLP leader Wadettiwar questioned the Mahayuti government's moral authority to uphold law and order. "If even women police personnel are not safe, what does that say about law and order? The Chief Minister (who also holds the home portfolio) is from the BJP. Will women get justice when BJP men are accused of such acts?" he asked. Raising concerns over the recently approved Maharashtra Shaktipeeth Expressway, Wadettiwar pointed to growing opposition among farmers, whose lands are likely to be acquired for the mega project. "Some ministers in the Cabinet opposed the project, but that's not enough. If Hasan Mushrif and Prakash Abitkar (both ministers) truly object to it, they should quit the government. Mere token dissent while clinging to power is hypocrisy," the former minister emphasised. The 802-km-long expressway will link Pavnar in Wardha district (in Vidarbha) with Patradevi in Sindhudurg district on the Maharashtra-Goa border. The Congress MLA accused the Mahayuti government of indulging in "double standards", saying it has no money for the poor, but at the same time the ruling coalition is showing no restraint in spending on political elites. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, whose party is an ally of the Congress, also hit out at the state government over the issue of corruption. "The corruption taking place in Maharashtra cannot be compared to any scam in the world. It is a very high-level scam," Mr Raut alleged.
Time of India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Samadhan day to be held twice a month in every village: Itankar
Nagpur: The third and fourth Wednesdays of every month will be observed as Samadhan Day in every village across the district. The initiative aims to directly address and resolve citizen grievances at the village level through the active presence of talathis, gram sevaks, and other local government officials, said district collector Vipin Itankar. The announcement was made during a workshop held at the District Planning Hall on Tuesday, where Itankar addressed circle officers and talathis, emphasizing the importance of responsiveness and accountability in rural administration. Additional district collector Pravin Mahire, resident deputy district collector Anup Khande, and senior officials from the zilla parishad and revenue department were also present. "Schemes like Panand road development, encroachment resolution, crop loans, and the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana have a direct bearing on rural livelihoods. When implemented transparently and promptly, they reduce the scope for complaints," said Itankar. You Can Also Check: Nagpur AQI | Weather in Nagpur | Bank Holidays in Nagpur | Public Holidays in Nagpur He stressed that village-level officers are the face of the government in rural areas and that their duty readiness sets the tone for public trust. He urged officials to be present and fully engaged on Samadhan Day, ensuring that all citizens who come forward with grievances receive timely redressal and assistance. Itankar also called for the faster implementation of tribal welfare schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Dharti Aaba Yojana and Vanpatta distribution. He highlighted the role of AgriStack in bringing transparency to agricultural services and underlined the importance of resolving long-standing Panand road disputes through local mediation. A circular will soon be issued mandating the regular presence of talathis and gram sevaks in their respective villages on Samadhan Days.
