Audit flags misuse of funds for women-specific schemes:Money diverted to infra projects

A separate gender budget provision was introduced in Madhya Pradesh in 2007–08. Its objective was to allocate funds for women’s welfare and empowerment-related activities such as loans, employment training, and healthcare. In the initial years, spending aligned with these goals. However, in recent years, funds from the gender budget have also been used for projects like roads, school buildings, and schemes such as the Jal Jeevan Mission. It has been revealed in an audit by the Finance Department The government argues that these schemes also benefit women and, therefore, have been included under the gender budget. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Jagdish Devda stated that expenditures under the gender budget are being made in accordance with prescribed provisions. Key irregularities found in 2025–26 Audit Declining share of gender budget (Amount in ₹ crore) Spending pattern in 2025–26 Instead of core schemes like One Stop Centres and helplines, funds were spent on infrastructure and other projects: Allocation for 2026–27 A total of ₹1.27 lakh crore has been allocated under the gender budget for 2026–27. Of this, ₹23,382 crore will be spent on the Ladli Behna scheme. Allocations in departments like Home, Energy, and Transport are so low that they have been absorbed into routine departmental expenses. Around 68% of the gender budget is being spent on the Women and Child Development and School Education departments. The audit indicates that funds are being spent on general works in deviation from the intended provisions of the gender budget.