MUMBAI, May 25 -- After diverting Rs.335.70 crore from the state tribal development department in April to infuse life into its flagship scheme -- Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (MMLBY) - the state government has once again dipped into the department's purse and diverted an equal amount to the state women and child development department, which is running the scheme. An order to this effect was issued by the state tribal development department on Friday. The government had diverted Rs.410 crore from the social justice department in May for the scheme. This is yet another indicator of the state's fragile fiscal state. "Under the tribal component programme (under which various schemes for the community are run), funds worth Rs.335.70 crore have been approved for the MMLBY," stated the government resolution (GR) issued by the state tribal development department. "Since the fund was released from the tribal component programme, the amount should be used for only the beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Tribe (ST) community." While tribal secretary Vijay Waghmare refused to comment on the development, the tribal minister Ashok Uike did not respond to calls and text messages sent by HT. In a video message posted on social media, the minister assured that no tribal scheme will be stalled after funds are diverted for the scheme. "As concerns are being raised over diversion of funds (for Ladki Bahin yojana), I would like to assure everyone from the tribal community that the funds will not be a problem for the schemes being run by the tribal development department," he stated. He added that the Mahayuti government is standing behind the tribal community, as is the PM Modi-led central government. "The state has sanctioned the utilisation of Rs.410.30 crore out of the Rs.3,960 crore allocated for schemes by the social justice department and Rs.335.70 crore of the Rs.3,240 crore allocated for the tribal development department for the Ladki Bahin scheme. The diverted funds would be utilised for beneficiaries belonging to the SC and ST socio-economic groups," the earlier GR had stated. Criticising the move, Congress chief spokesperson Atul Londhe said: "This shows that the state exchequer is empty and thus is diverting funds from other departments. It also means that the government is implementing the Ladki Bahin yojana but reducing funds of other schemes which are affecting primary and higher education of students, scholarship schemes, hostel expenses among others." Earlier, the move generated controversy as social justice minister Sanjay Shirsat opposed it, calling it unacceptable. In response, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio, said on May 4 that this was a cabinet decision taken with the assent of all the three Mahayuti parties. There are as many as 24.6 million registered beneficiaries under the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provides underprivileged women a monthly allowance of Rs.1,500. The Maharashtra government allocates Rs.3,800 crore per month for the disbursement every month....