CAG flags ₹3,541 crore excess spend, budgetary lapses in Maharashtra Govt’s Ladki Bahin scheme
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has flagged significant financial irregularities in Maharashtra's 'Ladki Bahin' welfare scheme. The report highlights excess spending of over ₹3,500 crore and the improper parking of funds in personal deposit accounts.
Why it matters
It raises concerns about fiscal discipline and the management of public funds in large-scale welfare programs.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has flagged excess expenditure of Rs 3,541.16 crore, parking of thousands of crores in deposit accounts and deficiencies in financial management in the implementation of the Maharashtra government's flagship Ladki Bahin scheme.
The CAG State Finances Audit Report 2024-25, tabled in the state legislature on Friday, noted that the Women and Child Development Department did not provide any specific justification for the substantial excess expenditure.
The report stated that the Women and Child Development Department spent ₹33,237.24 crore on the scheme against the authorised budget of ₹29,693.09 crore, resulting in an excess expenditure of ₹3,541.16 crore.
The report said a total grant of ₹29,693.09 crore was made available for the scheme, including ₹26,200 crore through supplementary provisions and ₹3,490.75 crore re-appropriated from the Lek Ladki Yojana.
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