CAG Flags 'Deficiencies' In Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Scheme, Questions Rs 3,541 Crore Excess Spending

Published 11 July 2026 · india

CAG Flags 'Deficiencies' In Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Scheme, Questions Rs 3,541 Crore Excess Spending Published By, Last Updated: July 11, 2026, 12:47 IST Spending on

CAG Flags 'Deficiencies' In Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Scheme, Questions Rs 3,541 Crore Excess Spending Published By, Last Updated: July 11, 2026, 12:47 IST Spending on women welfare increased from Rs 261.78 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 33,554.36 crore in 2024-25, due to the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (Maharashtra): Maharashtra's Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana offers monthly financial support to eligible women between specific age groups. The scheme aims to improve women's financial independence while helping them manage household expenses. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised concerns over the financial management of Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, stating that its implementation during 2024-25 was marked by “significant deficiencies in budget estimation, expenditure control and financial management". In its State Finances Audit Report for the financial year 2024-25, the CAG found that the state’s Women and Child Development Department incurred excess expenditure of Rs 3,541.16 crore under the scheme without providing “any specific justification". The audit has recommended that the government make a more realistic assessment of beneficiary coverage and funding requirements while preparing budgets for large Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes.

CAG flags parking of Rs 15,586 crore The audit also highlighted that Rs 15,586 crore, withdrawn during January-March 2025, was transferred to Virtual Personal Deposit Accounts (VPDA) during the last quarter of the financial year. According to the report, these government-managed deposit accounts were used to hold funds before disbursal despite there being no immediate requirement to utilise the money. The CAG said this reflected “parking of funds" and withdrawal of money without corresponding expenditure needs. The report added that such practices “undermine the principles of budgetary discipline, financial propriety and legislative control over public finances". It further observed that the unexplained excess expenditure and parking of funds in VPDA accounts reflected weak budget estimation and inadequate financial controls. Rise in women welfare spending The audit also noted a significant shift in Maharashtra’s social sector expenditure during the financial year. Spending on women welfare increased from Rs 261.78 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 33,554.36 crore in 2024-25, largely due to the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana. According to the report, this reflected “a major push toward welfare-oriented transfers rather than capital formation". At the same time, expenditure on housing declined by 54.69 per cent, while spending on water supply and sanitation fell by 31.81 per cent compared with the previous financial year.