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.
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Barber held for beating man to death over 'bidi' in east Delhi
New Delhi (PTI): A 32-year-old barber was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly beating a man to death following an altercation over a 'bidi' in east Delhi's Pandav Nagar area, police said.
A call regarding the incident that occurred near the bus stand road in Shashi Garden was received at 1.24 am, they said.
The victim was identified as Deepak (28), while the accused was Manoj, he added.
According to the police, during an argument, the accused picked up a wooden stick lying nearby and struck the victim repeatedly on the head. Multiple injuries and bruise marks were also found on the victim's forehead.
"Deepak was taken to Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, but doctors declared him brought dead," an officer said.
An FIR has been registered and further investigation is underway, the officer added.
