In a major setback to the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra, the State Election Commission has barred advance payments under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana scheme, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming municipal elections.
Although the government had made no official announcement on the payment, Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had earlier stated that eligible beneficiaries of the scheme would receive a combined transfer of ₹3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti.
The poll panel said that while the regular or pending instalments under the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme may be disbursed, no advance payment will be allowed during the model code period.
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The Commission had written to the Chief Secretary on Sunday, seeking clarification on the factual position following media reports suggesting that the government intended to release the January instalment of the scheme before Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14.
The flagship scheme of the state government, which provides eligible women beneficiaries with a monthly assistance of ₹1,500, is widely credited with helping the Mahayuti secure victory in the 2024 state assembly elections.
The SEC’s decision also came after a complaint by Congress leader Sandesh Kondvilkar, who alleged that the government planned to release the payment on January 14, a day before polling.
Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the party is not opposed to the scheme but asserted that releasing two months’ assistance on the eve of voting amounts to a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.