In a move drawing sharp criticism, the Maharashtra government has diverted ₹746 crore earmarked for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to fund its Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana — a flagship welfare scheme. This includes ₹410.30 crore from the Social Justice Department and ₹335.70 crore from the Tribal Development Department, originally intended for the upliftment of marginalized communities.
Despite claims that SC/ST women will benefit under the scheme, officials argue the diversion violates Planning Commission guidelines, which mandate that such funds be used exclusively for SC/ST welfare. Some states like Karnataka and Odisha have already enacted laws to prevent such reallocation.
Officials admit similar diversions have occurred before, but critics say that citing past misuse only reveals how deeply systemic the issue has become.
The impact is especially severe in SC/ST-dominated areas like Nagpur, where critical development, education, and employment programs may now suffer. Community leaders in Vidarbha have condemned the move, calling it a betrayal of the marginalized.
Internal rifts within the ruling coalition have also emerged. Social Justice Minister Sanjay Shirsat revealed he was not informed of the decision, while Deputy CM Ajit Pawar admitted that even affluent individuals benefited under the scheme.
This is more than poor governance — it’s a blow to constitutional protections and social equity. The misuse of dedicated welfare funds to sustain a politically driven scheme is being seen as an act of desperation, not reform.
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