Critics frown at freebies by Mahayuti but states' finances remain robust

Mahayuti govt faces scrutiny as schemes like Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana strain fiscal resources amid rising unemployment and prices of food items

Two prominent leaders from Maharashtra, including a Union minister from the ruling alliance, have tried to highlight the reality of one of the state government’s popular schemes — the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (MMLBY).
 

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari cautioned the industry last month against relying too heavily on subsidies and grants as the state government also needed funds for schemes like MMLBY.
 

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray, on the other hand, told journalists that the state’s coffers would run dry after the October instalment of MMLBY is issued, and the government may not have