Financial Irregularities Uncovered in Maharashtra's 'Ladki Bahin' Scheme

The Maharashtra government's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme is under scrutiny due to significant financial irregularities, including an excess expenditure of ₹3,541.16 crores and improper fund transfers. The CAG's recent report highlights these issues, raising concerns about budgetary discipline and financial integrity. The Women and Child Development Department has not provided adequate explanations for the overspending, prompting a critical response from the CAG. This situation calls for a closer examination of the scheme's financial management and accountability.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 13, 2026, 10:14 IST

Serious Financial Issues in 'Ladki Bahin' Initiative

The Maharashtra government's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, one of its most talked-about initiatives, has been found to have significant financial discrepancies. The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has revealed an excess expenditure of approximately ₹3,541.16 crores and major flaws in financial management related to this scheme. This information was presented in the CAG's state finance audit report for the fiscal year 2024-25, which was shared in the state legislature on Friday. The Women and Child Development Department has not provided any specific clarification regarding this substantial excess spending.

According to the report's data, the Women and Child Development Department was allocated a total budget of ₹29,693.09 crores for this scheme, yet it spent ₹33,237.24 crores in total. This resulted in an excess expenditure of ₹3,541.16 crores beyond the approved limit. The government had provided a total grant of ₹29,693.09 crores for this initiative, which included ₹26,200 crores received through supplementary provisions and ₹3,490.75 crores reallocated from the 'Lek Ladki Yojana'.

Additionally, the CAG has expressed serious concerns regarding the improper transfer of government funds into dormant accounts. The audit revealed that between January and March 2025, a substantial amount of ₹15,586 crores was withdrawn from the government treasury and transferred to a Virtual Personal Deposit Account (VPDA). The report clearly states that such a large withdrawal indicates that there was no immediate need for these funds, and they were extracted from the treasury without any actual expenditure requirement.

Labeling this as a significant financial irregularity, the CAG has taken a firm stance against the state government's approach. The report emphasizes that withdrawing such a large sum for a scheme that does not require immediate funding is entirely contrary to the principles of budgetary discipline and financial integrity.