The Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) State Finances Audit Report for 2024-25

The Comptroller and Auditor General's (CAG) State Finances Audit Report for 2024-25 criticized the Maharashtra government’s Women and Child Development Department for incurring an excess expenditure of Rs 3,541 crore under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana without justification. The audit also found that Rs 15,586 crore was parked in Virtual Personal Deposit Accounts despite no immediate utilisation requirement, indicating poor financial management and undermining budgetary discipline. Launched on June 28, 2024, the scheme aimed to provide Rs 1,500 a month to eligible women aged 21 to 65 with an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh. The CAG recommended realistic assessments of beneficiary coverage and fund requirements while formulating budgets for large direct benefit transfer schemes.