MP Bhaskarrao Bhagre Accuses Maharashtra Govt Of Diverting Tribal Funds

Dindori Lok Sabha MP Bhaskarrao Bhagre has accused the Maharashtra government of diverting funds meant for tribal development to other schemes. He claimed that ₹335.70 crore from the Tribal Development Department was transferred to the Women and Child Development Department for the ‘Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin’ scheme during 2025-26.

Bhagre demanded that the money be immediately restored to tribal development programmes, citing that funds under the Scheduled Tribe Sub-Plan are meant for education, healthcare, roads, drinking water, employment, and other basic facilities for tribal communities.

The MP also raised concerns over financial irregularities highlighted by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) in the Tribal Development Department’s English-medium residential school scheme. According to the CAG observations, ₹1,398.62 crore was spent on the scheme between 2018-19 and 2023-24, including ₹24.99 crore paid to nine ineligible day-boarding schools and other payments made without the required approvals.

Bhagre alleged that the diversion of tribal development funds was adversely affecting roads, schools, healthcare, drinking water, and employment projects in remote tribal areas of Nashik and other districts. He also stated that pending payments to contractors were causing development works to remain stalled.

The MP demanded a white paper detailing the total amount diverted, the budget heads involved, the period of diversion, and the beneficiaries. He warned that unless the government withdraws the diversion of tribal development funds and provides a transparent account, a broad democratic agitation would be launched from Parliament and Nashik district to the state secretariat.

Bhagre maintained that there was no opposition to providing loan waivers to farmers, but the financial burden of such schemes should not be met by diverting funds meant for tribal, Dalit, or other deprived communities. He emphasized that the tribal community is aware of where their rightful money is going and will not remain silent on the issue.

The allegations made by Bhagre have brought attention to the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of tribal development funds. The Maharashtra government must respond to these allegations and provide a clear explanation for the diversion of funds.

In recent years, the Maharashtra government has launched several initiatives aimed at improving the lives of tribal communities. However, the diversion of funds meant for these communities has raised concerns about the effectiveness of these initiatives. The government must ensure that funds meant for tribal development are used for their intended purpose and that transparency and accountability are maintained.

The issue of diversion of tribal development funds is not limited to Maharashtra and is a concern across the country. The central government has also launched initiatives aimed at improving the lives of tribal communities, but the diversion of funds has hindered the effectiveness of these initiatives. It is essential that state and central governments work together to ensure that funds meant for tribal development are used for their intended purpose and that transparency and accountability are maintained.

In conclusion, the allegations made by MP Bhaskarrao Bhagre have highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of tribal development funds. The Maharashtra government must respond to these allegations and provide a clear explanation for the diversion of funds. It is essential that funds meant for tribal development are used for their intended purpose and that transparency and accountability are maintained to ensure the effective implementation of initiatives aimed at improving the lives of tribal communities.