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17 July 2026

Maharashtra's Ladki Bahin scheme scrutiny

The topic involves a specific state welfare scheme and highlights critical governance issues regarding financial propriety, budgetary control, and CAG-reported irregularities, which are directly relevant to GS2 and GS4 syllabus themes.

1 min read Day 2 of 3 2 questions 2 prelims

Notes

  • Scheme: Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, Maharashtra.
  • Objective: Promote economic independence, health, and nutrition of women; strengthen family decision-making.
  • Eligibility: Resident women (21-65 years), Aadhaar-linked bank account, family income < ₹2.5 lakh/year, one woman per family.
  • Implementation: Women and Child Development Department via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
  • Beneficiary Trends: Peak of 2.43 crore; currently 1.66 crore following verification and mandatory e-KYC.
  • CAG Findings: Significant deficiencies in budget estimation, expenditure control, and financial management.
  • Financial Irregularities: Excess expenditure of ₹3,541.16 crore against allocation; reappropriation of funds from other schemes (e.g., Lek Ladki Yojana).
  • Budgetary Concerns: Funds drawn and parked in Virtual Personal Deposit Accounts (VPDA) without immediate expenditure needs, violating principles of financial propriety and legislative control.

Part of a longer story

This is day 2 of 3 in Implementation and scrutiny of Maharashtra's Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which has been running since 15 July 2026. Reading it whole is usually worth more than reading today alone — the exam asks how something developed.

Questions

  1. Discuss the significance of budgetary discipline and legislative control over public finances in the context of state-level welfare schemes. How does the practice of reappropriating funds from existing schemes impact long-term fiscal planning? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes are pivotal for social welfare, yet they face challenges related to beneficiary verification and financial management. Analyze the role of institutional audits, such as those by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), in ensuring transparency and accountability in the implementation of state-sponsored welfare programs. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. Which of the following is a primary objective of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana?

  2. According to the CAG report, what is a major concern regarding the financial management of the scheme?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-07-17/maharashtra-s-ladki-bahin-scheme-scrutiny