(Reported By Vinod Jagdale)
Mumbai: Maharashtra government has once again transferred an amount of Rs 335.70 crore of the Tribal Development Department with the aim of providing financial assistance to women under the Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana. This is the third occasion when the funds reserved for the tribal community have been diverted for this scheme. This decision has been taken when the NITI Aayog is repeatedly giving clear instructions that the budget allocated for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) should be used only for the welfare of those sections.
When Has The Fund Transfer Been Done So Far?
April 2025
The government had transferred an amount of Rs 410 crore from the Scheduled Castes and Tribes Department to the Ladki Bahin Yojana.
May 2025 (First Transfer)
An amount of Rs 335.70 crore from the Tribal Development Department was transferred to this scheme for the first time.
May 2025 (second transfer – third time overall)
Now again the same amount, Rs 335.70 crore has been transferred to the scheme by removing it from the Tribal Development Fund.
Niti Aayog Rules Ignored
The letter sent by Niti Aayog to the Central Government’s Department of Social Justice, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and Chief Ministers of all states clearly states that: SC/ST funds can be used only for those sections. This fund cannot be used for the beneficiaries of any other scheme or category.
It also adds that if additional funds are required for a scheme, it should be given from the additional budget and not by cutting the reserved funds.
Despite this directive, the Maharashtra government is repeatedly using this fund in other schemes, which is direct violation of Niti Aayog guidelines.
