Maharashtra EC bars advance Ladki Bahin payment citing enforcement of the model code of conduct for municipal polls

Mumbai: State Election Commission (SEC) has stopped the Maharashtra government from crediting an advance payment of ₹1,500 under the Ladki Bahin scheme to women beneficiaries, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for municipal elections.

The decision came after Congress' complaint to SEC that BJP was trying to influence poll results by crediting the January payment in advance ahead of elections. SEC has instructed the state government that the December payment could be credited while the January payment could not be made in advance.

SEC had earlier sought a report from Maharashtra chief secretary Rajesh Aggarwal on the issue after Congress brought it to its attention claims made by BJP minister Girish Mahajan, who had said that women beneficiaries of the scheme will receive ₹3,000 payout (for December and January) as part of the 'Makar Sankranti gift' from the state government.


Congress had alleged that the state government intended to release two instalments for December and January before the voting began for municipal polls which was a "collective government bribery". BJP had gone all out against the Congress for writing to the Election Commission of India on the issue.