The Maharashtra State Election Commission has prohibited the Mahayuti government from depositing an early installment of Rs 1,500 for January, along with the December 2025 aid, into the accounts of Ladki Bahin Yojana beneficiaries before Makar Sankranti on January 14. However, the SEC has permitted the deposit of the December 2025 financial aid of Rs 1,500, stating it aligns with the ongoing scheme and doesn’t breach the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming municipal corporation elections on January 15.
Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal was requested by the SEC to submit a report by 11 a.m. on Monday following BJP Minister Girish Mahajan’s statement that Rs 3,000 would be deposited into the accounts of Ladki Bahin Yojana beneficiaries, covering aid for December 2025 and January 2026, before Makar Sankranti. The Commission sought clarity on the government’s intentions regarding the simultaneous distribution of two months’ worth of funds just before polling.
The SEC’s decision was prompted by criticisms from opposition parties against the Mahayuti alliance, accusing it of trying to influence women voters and violating the Model Code of Conduct. The Commission received a report from the Chief Secretary affirming that Ladki Bahin Yojana is an ongoing scheme, similar to other schemes, and the disbursements would continue as planned.
While the government is allowed to disburse the December 2025 aid to eligible women beneficiaries, the SEC ruled against the advance payment of the January installment during the ongoing election process. Amid the controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the scheme, emphasizing that ongoing schemes like Ladki Bahin are not bound by election conduct restrictions, and the funds will be distributed as intended.
Advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar of the state Congress raised concerns over the timing of the aid disbursement, alleging that depositing Rs 3,000 on January 14, a day before voting, would breach the Model Code of Conduct. In response, Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshwardhan Sapkal urged the Commission to halt the specific act, emphasizing that while they support the Ladki Bahin scheme, the timing of the disbursement raises ethical concerns.
