Opposition parties in India have launched a fierce attack on both the central and state governments following a critical report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG). The national auditor flagged severe gaps in the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, which have allegedly led to the leakage of thousands of crores of rupees due to inadequate checks and verification.
CAG Report Sparks Political Firestorm
The core of the controversy stems from the CAG's warning that thousands of crores are flowing through the DBT system without mandatory de-duplication and cross-database verification. Opposition leaders seized upon this finding, stating it reinforces their long-standing charge that welfare benefits are frequently reaching ineligible beneficiaries. They argue that weak verification processes and a lack of coordination between government departments have created a system ripe for misuse.
Congress leader Ajit Singh emphasized the ethical divide, stating that welfare outreach must not be confused with electoral strategy. "This practice, however, raises serious questions about accountability," Singh said. He insisted that public resources should serve genuine citizen needs, not political interests.
Leaders Demand Accountability and Audits
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Gautam Patil was direct in his criticism, saying the CAG's findings expose systemic administrative failures. He called for the central government to be held accountable for not enforcing basic verification standards and criticized state governments for operating in administrative silos. Patil demanded an independent audit of schemes, specifically mentioning the 'Ladki Bahin' initiative, to identify ineligible recipients and recover wrongly disbursed funds.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Nitin Tiwari raised concerns beyond leakage, warning that the indiscriminate implementation of cash schemes could worsen unemployment and divert money from crucial development projects. "Not only women, but many men and even financially well-off people are being registered," Tiwari alleged, calling for complete transparency and stricter verification protocols.
Call for Development Over Short-Term Cash
Adding a perspective on fiscal priorities, former Shiv Sena MP Prakash Jadhav argued that welfare spending should align with long-term development goals. While supporting aid for women, he questioned the logic of giving cash to ineligible individuals when villages still lack basic infrastructure like drinking water and cremation grounds. Jadhav advocated for a shift in focus from short-term cash distribution to investments in lasting public assets like infrastructure, sanitation, healthcare, and employment-generating works.
The unified opposition demand, as highlighted on Wednesday, centers on the urgent need for rigorous data verification, better inter-departmental coordination, and public disclosure of beneficiary data. They have called for independent audits and the recovery of wrongly disbursed funds, cautioning that without immediate corrective measures, DBT schemes risk losing public credibility and undermining trust in the entire framework of welfare governance.
