Maharashtra student group opposes use of SC, tribal funds for Ladki Bahin scheme

The Ambedkar Students Association Maharashtra and Bodhi Blended Learning have urged the Maharashtra government to immediately stop the diversion of funds allocated to the Social Justice Department for Scheduled Castes and other deprived communities to other schemes, including the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme.

In a petition submitted to Maharashtra Social Justice and Special Assistance Minister Sanjay Shirsat and the department’s principal secretary, the organisations alleged that funds from the Social Justice Department had been diverted to the Ladki Bahin scheme. They demanded that any funds already diverted be returned to the department and made available for social justice schemes.

The organisations said the funds allocated to the Social Justice Department are meant for programmes related to education, scholarships, hostels, overseas education, employment, housing and social security for Scheduled Castes and other disadvantaged sections.

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Students’ groups question diversion of funds

The petition said the organisations do not oppose financial assistance schemes for women but object to reducing or diverting funds earmarked for one disadvantaged section to finance another welfare scheme.

“Diversion of funds planned for a deprived section for another social welfare scheme undermines the basic objective of social justice,” the organisations said in the petition.

They also pointed to the Scheduled Caste Component Programme as an important part of the Social Justice Department’s responsibilities. According to the petition, funds under the department are critical for ensuring educational and economic opportunities, employment, housing and social security for disadvantaged communities.

The organisations questioned the role of the Social Justice Minister in the alleged diversion of funds and urged Minister Sanjay Shirsat to publicly state his position on the issue.

Six demands submitted to Maharashtra government

The Ambedkar Students Association Maharashtra and Bodhi Blended Learning have put forward six demands before the state government.

The organisations have demanded that:

• Diversion of Social Justice Department funds to other schemes be stopped immediately.
• All funds diverted earlier be transferred back to the Social Justice Department.
• All government resolutions, orders, budget heads and related transactions concerning the diversion be made public.
• A detailed inquiry or report on the impact of the diversion on Social Justice Department schemes should be prepared.
• The government provides a legal and administrative guarantee that funds earmarked for Scheduled Castes will be used only for their intended purpose.
• Funds for scholarships, hostels, fees, education, employment and other schemes benefiting Scheduled Caste students should not be reduced under any circumstances.

The organisations said the issue was not merely about the diversion of a certain amount of money but concerned the direction of the Social Justice Department’s budget and the future of thousands of students from disadvantaged communities.

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Threat of statewide democratic mass protest

The petition also warned of a statewide democratic mass protest if the government fails to take immediate action and provide a written response.

The organisations said they would launch a campaign through the Ambedkar Students Association Maharashtra and Bodhi Blended Learning seeking the resignation of the Social Justice Minister and the removal of Social Justice Department Secretary Harshad Kamble.

They have also requested the government to immediately look into the representation and provide a written response.