Mumbai, January 12 (IANS). Maharashtra State Election Commission has banned giving advance benefits of Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana for the month of January in the state. This decision has been taken in view of the model code of conduct implemented due to municipal elections. Under the scheme, eligible women get financial assistance of Rs 1,500 every month. More than 1 crore beneficiaries are associated with it.
According to sources, the state government had announced to deposit two installments (totaling Rs 3,000) in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries for December 2025 and January 2026 on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, but the opposition Congress objected to this announcement and termed it a violation of the code of conduct.
Maharashtra Congress general secretary Sandesh Kondvilkar sent a complaint letter to the State Election Commission, saying that transferring such a huge amount just a day before voting (voting in 29 municipal corporations on January 15) amounts to influencing women voters and amounts to ‘collective government bribery’.
After receiving the complaint, the State Election Commission summoned the report from Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal and sought clarification. The Chief Secretary in his report pointed out that the Ladki Bahin Yojana is a continuing scheme, like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhaar Yojana and such schemes which were started before the election announcement are allowed to continue during the lockdown period.
However, the Commission gave clear instructions that the regular installment of December 2025 (Rs 1,500) can be paid, but the installment of January 2026 cannot be deposited in advance. Also, new beneficiaries cannot be selected or any additional benefits can be given. Due to this decision of the Commission, the government was not allowed to transfer the January installment before January 14.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said that the scheme is free from electoral restrictions and women will continue to get their rights. At the same time, Congress clarified that it is not against the scheme, but does not consider advance payment before the elections appropriate. BJP leaders hit back at Congress, calling it an anti-women attitude.
–IANS
SCH/VC