CAG flags ₹3,541 crore excess spend, budgetary lapses in Maharashtra Govt’s Ladki Bahin scheme
The Comptroller and Auditor General of India has identified an excess expenditure of ₹3,541 crore and significant budgetary lapses in Maharashtra. The audit highlights concerns regarding funds transferred to Virtual Personal Deposit Accounts during the first quarter of 2025.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India has raised concerns over the Maharashtra government's financial management, flagging an excess expenditure of ₹3,541 crore. The audit focused on the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Scheme and other fiscal activities during the designated period.
Audit scrutiny revealed that approximately ₹15,586 crore was drawn between January and March 2025. These funds were reportedly transferred to Virtual Personal Deposit Accounts (VPDAs), a move the CAG noted as a deviation from standard budgetary protocols.
The report underscores significant budgetary lapses, suggesting that these transfers may bypass regular legislative oversight. The state government is expected to respond to the audit's findings regarding the transparency and necessity of these financial movements. Source: CAG Report
