Ladki Bahin Yojana: The State Election Commission has stopped the Maharashtra government from releasing the January installment of the “Ladki Bahin” scheme in advance, citing the Model Code of Conduct in place for municipal elections. The State Election Commission’s clarification comes after receiving numerous complaints following media reports.
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Ladki Bahin Yojana: The State Election Commission has stopped the Maharashtra government from releasing the January installment of the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme in advance, citing the Model Code of Conduct in place for municipal elections. The State Election Commission’s clarification comes after receiving numerous complaints following media reports claiming that beneficiaries of the scheme would receive a combined December and January installment of Rs. 3,000 in their bank accounts before January 14th as a Makar Sankranti gift.
Why did the SEC stop the installment release?
BJP leader and minister Geetanjali Mahajan had claimed that eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin Yojana would receive a combined December and January installment of Rs. 3,000 in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti. Following media reports, the State Election Commission (SEC) on Sunday sent a letter to the state’s Chief Secretary, Rajesh Agarwal, seeking clarification and inquiring whether the government intended to release the two months’ installments simultaneously just before the elections. Its reply was sought on Monday.
The Chief Secretary informed that the SEC had issued consolidated instructions regarding the Model Code of Conduct for local body elections on November 4, 2025.
The SEC has clarified that regular or pending installments can be paid under the “Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana.” The Commission has also clarified that no advance payments will be accepted during the code of conduct period.
According to these guidelines, development works and welfare schemes started before the announcement of elections can continue during the code of conduct period.
What is this scheme?
The Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana is a flagship scheme of the state government, under which eligible female beneficiaries receive a monthly assistance of ₹1,500. This scheme is credited with playing a key role in the Mahayuti’s victory in the 2024 state assembly elections.
The opposition has described this announcement as an attempt to influence voters ahead of the 29 municipal corporation elections scheduled for January 15.
State Congress leader and lawyer Sandesh Kondvilkar filed a complaint with the SEC on Saturday, claiming that the payment was proposed on January 14, a day before the polling, and sought the Election Commission’s intervention to stop the transfer.
Amid the controversy, Chief Minister Fadnavis has stated that the Laxmi Behen Yojana is an ongoing scheme of the state government and does not fall under the purview of the election code of conduct.
Maharashtra Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkal said his party is not against the scheme, but objected to the release of two months’ assistance just before the polling, calling it a clear violation of the model code of conduct.
The state Congress strongly criticized the Mahayuti government, saying that the ruling party’s leaders are “selfish brothers” who expect votes from female beneficiaries as a “return gift.”
State Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant told reporters, “These selfish brothers have no feelings. They stopped the installment for two months and distributed the amount during the election campaign. They want something in return. These sisters should show these selfish brothers their place as they expect a return gift in the form of votes.”
This action by the Election Commission comes after the recently concluded Bihar Assembly elections. Before the elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the transfer of ₹10,000 to female beneficiaries under the Chief Minister’s Women Employment Scheme.
The opposition described this announcement as a last-minute attempt to woo voters in favor of the NDA, which resulted in a landslide victory.
The Bihar Assembly elections were held in two phases on November 6 and November 11, and the counting of votes concluded on November 14.
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