Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin Yojana: Congress Leader Pans 'Exorbitant Ad Spend', Minister Says Oppn in Panic Mode

Maharashtra’s Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin Yojana aimed at benefiting women in the state has come under scrutiny due to the substantial amount of money allocated for its promotion. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar has raised concerns, stating that Rs 199.81 crore is set to be spent on publicity for this scheme, while only a limited number of women have received the first instalment of the aid.

Responding to this, state women and child development minister Aditi Tatkare told News18, “The opposition is in panic mode after this scheme has become popular and received a very positive response from the women of Maharashtra. For every flagship scheme the state government keeps a separate budget to spread awareness so that many people can benefit from them. During the MVA regime also such type of budget was kept for spreading awareness of Covid-related messages and initiatives of government. We had also kept a separate budget for this scheme for advertisement and to spread awareness.”

Wadettiwar earlier took to social media site X to express his criticism about the amount that the government is spending for the promotion of this scheme, claiming that while the programme’s reach has been minimal, the expenses incurred for its publicity are exorbitant. He pointed out that, previously, a Government Resolution (GR) had already allocated Rs 270 crore for the promotion of the wider initiatives announced by the ruling coalition, stating that it is disconcerting to see such vast sums dedicated to advertising rather than actual aid for the beneficiaries.

“Only a negligible number of sisters have received the first instalment of the scheme, yet the state treasury is burdened with an exorbitant bill of Rs 199.81 crore just for publicity. This raises serious questions about the prioritisation of funds,” he stated in the post.

Wadettiwar further criticised the government for issuing such a GR on August 15, a national holiday, indicating that not only does the timing seem dubious, but it reflects a broader concern about the lack of functionality in government operations on regular working days. “Even on working days, public issues remain unresolved in the ministry, yet the ruling coalition hastens to push through decisions that favour their interests,” he added.

He also touched on the broader implications of this alleged financial mismanagement. According to him, the current government is seemingly unable to provide farmers with necessary compensation, allocate scholarships for students, or create job opportunities for the youth, asserting that its priorities are misplaced. “While they complain about a lack of funds for important public services, they prioritise lavish spending on self-promotion. The state seems to be mortgaged for the benefit of those in power,” he said, adding that the upcoming assembly elections could see political factions within the ruling coalition willing to “sell Maharashtra” to secure electoral gains.

Wadettiwar’s remarks underscore the ongoing tension between opposition parties and the ruling coalition in Maharashtra, with calls for transparency and accountability growing louder as the election season approaches. The effectiveness of policies, as opposed to their promotional costs, has become a central theme in the discourse surrounding the state’s governance and resource allocation.