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Maharashtra: As Shirsat slams finance dept, Ajit says ‘no need to discuss matter openly, kept CM in loop’

Shirsat alleged that Rs 413.30 crore from the social justice department's allocation were diverted

3 min readPuneMay 3, 2025 11:31 PM IST

Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat's son, Siddhant Shirsat is accused of purchasing a hotel at an undervalued price (Express Image)

After State Social Justice Minister and Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Shirsat on Saturday accused the state finance department of “high-handedness” for “illegal” diversion of funds from his department without his knowledge, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar criticised the minister saying it was an internal matter of the cabinet and there was no need to discuss it publicly.

“There was no reason to make an internal matter public. If required, I will sit and discuss the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde besides Sanjay Shirsat. On May 6, there will be a cabinet meeting where we will discuss the issue. If there is any misunderstaning, will seek to resolve it. If any mistaken has happened we will correct it,” said Ajit Pawar while speaking to reporters when he was asked about the angry outburst from Shirsat.

Speaking to reporters in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Shirsat, while calling to shut down the Social Justice Department, said, “Earlier the finance department had diverted Rs 7,000 crore from my department. They had kept me in the dark. If the government does not intend to let the social justice department function, then it should shut down this department. You can call it injustice or whatever. I have no clue about the reason for the diversion of funds,” he said.

Shirsat alleged that Rs 413.30 crore from the social justice department’s allocation were diverted. “I will raise the issue with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The diversion of funds is illegal. The high-handed behaviour of the finance department is not appropriate,” he said.

Ajit Pawar, who heads the finance department, said he had kept the Chief Minister in the loop about his decision. “I had informed the Chief Minister about my decision. While making the budget, we make special provision for various sections of the society. For others, provision is made in the general budget. While sanctioning funds for Ladki Bahin Yojana, we sanctioned funds for tribal women from the tribal department. I don’t think we have done anything different. This decision was taken during the cabinet meeting. After we make the budget, we take the signature of everyone including Chief Minster and Deputy Chief Ministers besides the signatures of the ministers.”

Shirsat flared up after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve, in a tweet, alleged that the government has diverted funds meant for tribals to pay the instalment to womenfolk under Ladki Bahin Yojana. ”Of the Rs 3,420 crore which the tribal department was supposed to get for this fiscal, finance ministry has diverted Rs 335 crore funds for Ladki Bahin Yojana,” he said.

The Uddhav Sena alleged that a total of Rs 743 crore has been diverted. ”The Social Justice Department has been provided Rs 3,960 crore for this fiscal. Of this, Rs 410 crore has been diverted,” the Sena said.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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