Senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal officially assumed charge as Maharashtra’s Minister for Food and Civil Supplies on Friday, three days after being inducted into the cabinet. His return has marked a renewed emphasis on welfare continuity, especially regarding the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme.
It was conveyed by Bhujbal that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had proposed his inclusion in the cabinet as early as December 2024, soon after the Mahayuti alliance secured a dominant victory in the state assembly elections. According to the minister, the decision was also strongly supported by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who were said to have facilitated his reappointment.
Concerns over the future of the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme — a welfare programme that offers subsidized meals to nearly two lakh people each day — were addressed. The minister assured that the scheme would be retained, following discussions with the Chief Minister. It was emphasised that the scheme not only met essential nutritional needs but also reinforced the government’s commitment to social welfare. Bhujbal referred to similar models in South India and noted that the estimated annual expenditure of ₹140–150 crore was justified.
It was clarified by the minister that no schemes had been scrapped under the current administration. However, adjustments were acknowledged, with the government said to be managing available funds in the manner of a household navigating large expenses. It was stressed that fiscal limitations required rational distribution until revenue inflows improved. Programmes such as the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme were cited as examples of large outlays that had temporarily strained resources.
Assurances were given that all existing welfare schemes would continue, and it was revealed that proposals seeking financial assistance from the central government had been submitted. Meanwhile, steps were being taken to improve the targeting of these programmes. Bhujbal pointed out that ineligible beneficiaries had previously accessed welfare services, and a dedicated committee had been established to address such misuse.
The appointment of Bhujbal on May 20 followed a reshuffling of cabinet positions. He replaced former NCP minister Dhananjay Munde, who had resigned in March amid a controversy involving his associate Walmik Karad — currently under arrest for alleged involvement in a murder case in Beed. Bhujbal’s return has been positioned as a stabilising move in Maharashtra’s welfare administration, signaling a continuation of key public schemes amidst evolving fiscal realities.
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