Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 3: Amid mounting financial constraints, the Maharashtra government has come under fire for diverting funds from key welfare departments to sustain the monthly Rs 1,500 aid promised under the Ladki Bahin Yojana. The decision to reallocate a total of Rs 746 crore — Rs 410.30 crore from the Social Justice Department and Rs 335.70 crore from the Tribal Development Department — has sparked a political storm.

The move, formalised through a government notification issued on Friday, drew sharp criticism from Social Justice Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat, who said he had no prior knowledge of the fund transfer. "If the social justice department is not needed, then it is better to shut it down," said Shirsat, expressing his displeasure over the finance department’s ‘unilateral’ action.

Shirsat slammed the transfer as illegal and unconstitutional, stating, “Funds approved for my department by law cannot be cut or reallocated. If the officials at the finance department think they’re too clever, let them show me the rule under which this was done. Then I’ll apologise. Otherwise, this is manipulation."

Labeling finance officials as ‘Shakuni,’ referring to the crafty Mahabharata character, Shirsat accused them of bypassing due process. “This is not just about money, but about justice to the marginalised. A beloved sister will always remain beloved, but not at the cost of robbing others,” he added.

Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve echoed the criticism, accusing the MahaYuti government of breaching funding norms. “The funds for Social Justice and Tribal Development are earmarked based on community population and cannot be diverted,” he said, warning that such acts would deprive SC, ST, and tribal beneficiaries of their rightful schemes.

Congress legislature party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also condemned the diversion, particularly noting the impact on women from Scheduled Caste and Neo-Buddhist communities. “Minister Shirsat is feigning surprise now, but was he really unaware? Either he was kept in the dark, or this is just a staged drama to fool the people,” said Wadettiwar.

Despite the controversy, the government has begun crediting the Rs 1,500 April instalment under the Ladki Bahin Yojana to beneficiaries’ accounts. However, uncertainty looms over the release of the May aid, as officials remain tight-lipped on the next disbursement amid the fiscal shortfall.