By Admin 
The Maharashtra State Election Commission has sought a report from the Chief Secretary on a minister’s claim that the financial assistance of Ladki Behen Scheme will be distributed to the beneficiaries before Makar Sankranti, amid allegations of violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The move followed complaints from opposition parties, who alleged that the timing of the proposed fund distribution was tantamount to luring women voters ahead of the elections for 29 municipal corporations scheduled on January 15.
Orders given to submit report to Chief Secretary
According to sources, the State Election Commission has asked Chief Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal to submit the report on Monday (January 12). ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana’ is a major scheme of the state government under which eligible women get monthly assistance of Rs 1,500. This scheme is credited with the victory of Mahayuti in the 2024 assembly elections.
BJP leader had posted on social media
In a post on social media last week, BJP leader and state minister Girish Mahajan had said that an assistance amount of Rs 3,000, including the installments of December 2025 and January 2026, will be deposited in the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries before Makar Sankranti. Makar Sankranti is on 14 January.
Congress lodged a complaint
Congress state unit leader and lawyer Sandesh Kondvilkar filed a complaint with the State Election Commission on Saturday, claiming that the payments are proposed to be made on January 14, a day before voting, and sought the State Election Commission’s intervention to stop it.
Commission sent letter asking for clarification
According to sources, the commission on Sunday (January 11) sent a letter to the state Chief Secretary seeking clarification and also asked whether the government intends to release the two months’ installments together just before the elections. The Commission has asked to reply by 11 am on Monday.
What did Chief Minister Fadnavis say?
Amid the controversy, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the Ladki Bahin scheme is a continuing scheme of the state government and does not come under the restrictions of the election code of conduct. Although Maharashtra unit president of Congress Harshvardhan Sapkal has said that the party is not against this scheme, but he has objected to the release of two months’ aid amount at once on the eve of voting, calling it a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct.