New Delhi, July 29 (NationPress) NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule accused on Tuesday that a scandal amounting to Rs 4,800 crore occurred in the Ladki Bahin Yojana, initiated by the BJP-led government in Maharashtra, claiming that the entire state Cabinet is accountable for this fraud.

She emphasized that while she does not hold Women and Child Welfare Minister Aditi Tatkare solely responsible, the entire cabinet bears the blame for the scandal.

“I will not target Aditi Tatkare. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis must answer, as he introduced the Ladki Bahin Yojana as a government initiative. The Maharashtra Cabinet is culpable for this scam since they sanctioned it,” she stated.

The MP urged for a comprehensive investigation into the issue and called for a white paper to be published.

“The most significant scandal in Maharashtra is the Ladki Bahin Yojana. A Rs 4,800 crore scam has unfolded during the execution of this program. Every instance should be thoroughly examined. A white paper should be issued concerning this. The inquiry must be conducted transparently,” she insisted.

Sule's claims arose after Minister Tatkare indicated that out of the 2.52 crore beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which was launched prior to the Assembly elections, around 26.34 lakh women received monthly support of Rs 1,500 despite being unqualified.

The MP mentioned that the monthly assistance to these disqualified women beneficiaries was put on hold pending further evaluation.

“Moreover, the department discovered that 14,298 men also benefitted from the scheme,” she noted.

She highlighted that department estimates suggest that the loss due to ineligible beneficiaries could reach approximately Rs 4,800 crore to date.

“Why were those 26.34 lakh women excluded after the elections? How did over 14,000 men benefit from the Ladki Bahin Yojana? How did the funds via direct benefit transfer end up in men’s accounts? If the accounts were male, how did the women’s funds reach those accounts?” she questioned, demanding answers from the government.

While applying for the Ladki Bahin Yojana, applicants must submit an Aadhaar card, bank details, and other identification documents to the authorities.

“How did money get deposited into men’s accounts while submitting all these documents? Even minor errors lead to rejection in school, insurance, and farmer's insurance forms. So how did men’s applications and women’s applications that did not meet the criteria get approved in the Ladki Bahin Yojana?” she inquired.

Sule also condemned the state government for failing to announce the crop loan waiver scheme promised before the state assembly elections.

“The Maharashtra government has acknowledged that the benefits of the Ladki Bahin Yojana came at the cost of other programs. There have been instances of farmer suicides and contractor suicides. Approximately 350 farmers have taken their lives between January 2025 and March 2025. Loan waivers for farmers have not been provided. It is not just me saying this; Maharashtra's financial condition is dire. A special investigation team must be constituted to look into all these matters,” she remarked.