Social justice, tribal department funds cut in Maharashtra, given to Ladki Bahin scheme: Report
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government’s Ladki Bahin Yojana appears to be impacting budget allocations for key welfare departments, with significant funds reportedly redirected from social justice and tribal development initiatives.
"My information is that nearly Rs 10,000 crore, which includes Rs 7,000 crore from social justice and Rs 3,000 crore from tribal development, has been diverted for Ladki Bahin scheme,” Shiv Sena’s Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat told The Times of India.
The report, published on Saturday, mentioned that although the budget saw a 40-42 percent increase in overall allocations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST), funding for the social justice, tribal development, and other backward Bahujan welfare departments has been reduced.
A senior bureaucrat confirmed the reallocation of funds from the social justice and tribal development departments for the Ladki Bahin scheme. "Funds must have been transferred for SC/ST beneficiaries under the scheme," the bureaucrat told TOI.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra is grappling with its highest-ever projected debt of Rs 9.3 lakh crore and the steepest revenue deficit (gap between income and expenditure) at an estimated Rs 45,891 crores for 2025-26.
The Mahayuti government had launched the Ladki Bahin Yojana in July 2024, where it provides Rs 1,500 per month to eligible women under the scheme. In its poll manifesto ahead of the state Assembly elections, the Mahayuti had promised to increase the amount to Rs 2,100. However, this commitment has not been fulfilled yet.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka govt seeks agency to manage rural drinking water units: Minister
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the state government is working to appoint an agency to manage clean drinking water units in rural areas.
The state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister was responding to a question by Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar in the legislative assembly.
"In the rural areas of the state, many clean drinking water units have been set up under corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants, including contributions by MLAs and MPs, and handed over to gram panchayats. After the maintenance period, problems have arisen in keeping these units operational," Priyank said.
He added that a proposal has been made to award a maintenance contract to one of the country’s reputed drinking water unit manufacturing companies, but so far, no companies have come forward to take up the work.
ALSO READ: Woman threatens to end life as police official refuses to accept love proposal, FIR registered
"The government is continuing its efforts and will resolve this problem soon," he said.
On a query regarding fluoride content in water, the minister said water quality testing is being conducted monthly in all zilla panchayats.
"Laboratories have been opened for this purpose. Around 6.5 lakh water samples have been tested across the state, and water testing kits have been provided to villages," he added.
