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The move follows a request from the Congress, which had written to the Commission seeking a ban on fund distribution once the MCC came into effect.
The SEC’s clarification came after it received several complaints following reports that beneficiaries were set to receive Rs 3,000-covering the December and January instalments before January 14 as a Makar Sankranti gift. (Photo: PTI file)
The Election Commission on Monday barred the Maharashtra government from transferring funds under the Ladki Bahin scheme into beneficiaries’ bank accounts a day before the civic body polls. The ban applies to the January instalment of the scheme, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for municipal elections.
The SEC’s clarification came after it received several complaints following reports that beneficiaries were set to receive Rs 3,000-covering the December and January instalments before January 14 as a Makar Sankranti gift.
The decision also comes amid a political row over the timing of the scheme’s payments. The Congress had written to the SEC requesting a ban on fund distribution once the MCC came into effect, arguing that transferring money just before polling could influence voters.
On Sunday, State Congress leader and advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar had submitted a complaint to the election body, noting that payments were proposed, a day ahead of the polls, and sought the poll body’s intervention.
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship scheme of the state government under which eligible women beneficiaries receive a monthly assistance of Rs 1,500. The scheme has been widely credited with helping the Mahayuti alliance secure victory in the 2024 state assembly elections.
The controversy started after BJP leader and minister Girish Mahajan had claimed that financial aid for December and January would be disbursed before Makar Sankranti.
The opposition, however, alleged that this would violate the MCC. In response, the SEC sought a report from the state Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, asking whether the government intended to release two months’ instalments together just before the polls.
Amid the row, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had defended the scheme, saying it is a continuous state programme and does not fall under election restrictions
(With inputs from agencies)
January 12, 2026, 19:54 IST
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