The Maharashtra State Election Commission has dealt a significant blow to the ruling Mahayuti government by barring advance payments under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the upcoming municipal elections.
The decision follows media reports suggesting that the government planned to credit eligible women beneficiaries with a combined payment of ₹3,000, covering the December and January instalments, before Makar Sankranti on January 14. While no official government notification had been issued, Cabinet Minister Girish Mahajan had publicly indicated that the advance transfer would take place before the festival.
Clarifying its position, the State Election Commission stated that while regular or pending instalments under the Ladki Bahin scheme may still be disbursed, no advance payment is permissible during the period in which the Model Code of Conduct is in force. The poll body had written to the Chief Secretary on Sunday, seeking factual clarification after reports emerged about a possible early release of the January instalment.
The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship welfare programme of the Mahayuti government, providing eligible women with a monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500. The scheme is widely regarded as a major factor behind the coalition’s victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, particularly due to its appeal among women voters.
The Election Commission’s intervention came after a formal complaint by Congress leader Sandesh Kondvilkar, who alleged that the government intended to release the funds on January 14, just a day before polling. The complaint argued that such a move would amount to influencing voters and violate election norms.
Reacting to the development, Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal said the opposition party does not oppose the Ladki Bahin scheme itself. However, he maintained that releasing two months’ worth of financial assistance immediately before voting would constitute a clear breach of the Model Code of Conduct.
With municipal elections approaching, the poll panel’s decision underscores heightened scrutiny over government welfare disbursements during election periods. While beneficiaries may still receive instalments that are already due, any attempt at advance payments is now firmly off the table until the conclusion of the electoral process.