Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Scheme Under Fire for Rs 3,541 Crore Overspend

Maharashtra's flagship 'Ladki Bahin scheme', which aims to empower women, is facing a major scandal. The state's financial watchdog, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), just revealed a massive overspend of Rs 3,541.16 crore and the questionable parking of Rs 15,586 crore in deposit accounts. This damning report, tabled in the state legislature last Friday, points to serious issues in how public money is handled, raising big questions about accountability in a scheme designed to help over 2.3 crore women. The CAG findings highlight severe deficiencies in financial management, including poor budget planning and a lack of control over spending by the Women and Child Development Department. The practice of drawing funds and stashing them in Virtual Personal Deposit Accounts (VPDAs) without immediate need is a critical red flag. This goes against basic rules of budgetary discipline and financial propriety, meaning legislative control over public funds was weakened. Adding to the controversy, a recent state-wide verification drive removed more than 9.2 million ineligible beneficiaries, revealing widespread issues like high family incomes, government employment, or beneficiaries already receiving other aid. Now, all eyes are on the Maharashtra government and its Women and Child Development Department to explain these significant lapses and outline immediate corrective actions. The CAG report typically pushes for stronger financial controls and greater transparency, and this situation will likely trigger a deeper review of how large-scale welfare schemes are managed across the state. The focus will be on ensuring future funds are used efficiently and transparently, bringing back public trust and strengthening the integrity of such vital programs.