In recent months, several flagship schemes launched by the Eknath Shinde-led government in Maharashtra appear to have lost momentum, prompting the opposition to allege internal rifts within the ruling MahaYuti coalition. However, both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena have dismissed these claims as baseless.
Several populist schemes announced by Eknath Shinde when he was chief minister in the Mahayuti 1.0 government before the Maharashtra polls are on the verge of a shutdown because of a financial crunch, with the state government diverting funds to its flagship women's cash transfer programme, 'Ladki Bahin Yojana'. Some of Shinde's pet schemes facing the axe are Anandacha Shidha, Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana and the Shiv Sena's Shiv Bhojan Thali, which were announced in the undivided Sena's manifesto in 2019 and introduced during the pandemic.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve has accused Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of sidelining projects initiated under Shinde’s leadership, hinting at power struggles within the MahaYuti alliance. Danve questioned whether the “non-commencement or closure” of the scheme was part of a larger move to “cut to size” an ally within the ruling coalition. He also alleged that the move comes close on the heels of the discontinuation of the Anandacha Shidha scheme, which provided subsidised festival kits and was also launched under Shinde's leadership.
The opposition has pointed to the state budget as evidence of this alleged sidelining, noting the lack of fund allocation for several key schemes. These include the Aanandacha Shidha scheme, which provided subsidized food kits to over 1.70 crore families during festivals, the Vayoshree Yojana, offering financial assistance to senior citizens, the Mukhyamantri Teerth Darshan Yojana, sponsoring senior citizens' pilgrimages, and the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme, providing affordable meals. The state government had spent over Rs 1,200 crore on these four schemes in the previous financial year.
In response to these allegations, government officials have asserted that none of the schemes will be discontinued. However, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Chhagan Bhujbal acknowledged that the government's popular scheme, 'Ladki Bahin Yojana', had affected other initiatives. The Maharashtra government, grappling with a significant debt of Rs 7.8 lakh crore and a hefty payout for the Ladki Bahin scheme, has set up a panel to streamline schemes and address financial challenges. The committee, led by Minister of State for Finance Ashish Jaiswal, is tasked with evaluating and streamlining ongoing schemes to reduce financial chaos, eliminate redundant schemes, and ensure efficient resource utilization.
Despite the opposition's claims, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has affirmed his government's commitment to welfare schemes, assuring that the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme would not be discontinued. He has also stated that the government is introducing initiatives for the socially deprived and financially weaker sections.
Adding to the complexity, the Maharashtra Social Justice Department has launched a review of its existing welfare schemes and scholarships to widen their scope and financial allocations. This review aims to ensure that beneficiaries are better served, as some current schemes have become outdated or financially inadequate. The department's budget for 2025-26 has increased significantly, with a substantial portion allocated to the Women and Child Development Department to support the 'Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana'.
Furthermore, the state government has announced a significant relief package of ₹31,628 crore for farmers affected by heavy downpours and floods. This package includes compensation for crop damage, soil erosion, and loss of livestock, among other forms of assistance.
