Maharashtra: Election Commission halts Ladki Bahin scheme fund transfers ahead of civic polls

The State Election Commission (SEC) on January 12, directed the Maharashtra government to halt the transfer of funds under the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana ahead of the upcoming civic body elections. The restriction applies specifically to the January instalment of the scheme and comes into effect following the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for municipal polls.

The decision was communicated after the SEC received multiple complaints alleging that funds were being scheduled for disbursal just a day before polling, raising concerns about possible violations of election norms.

The SEC’s clarification came amid reports that beneficiaries of the scheme were set to receive Rs 3,000, covering the instalments for December and January, before January 14, coinciding with the Makar Sankranti festival. The proposed timing of the transfer was widely publicised as a festive benefit, triggering objections from opposition parties.

Several complaints were submitted to the election body, arguing that releasing welfare funds immediately before voting could amount to the inducement of voters and compromise the level playing field mandated by the MCC.

The Congress formally approached the SEC, urging it to prohibit any fund distribution under the scheme once the MCC had come into force. The party contended that transferring money to beneficiaries’ bank accounts on the eve of elections could unfairly benefit the ruling alliance.

On Sunday, senior Congress leader and advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar submitted a detailed complaint to the SEC, stating that the proposed payment schedule violated election norms. He sought immediate intervention to prevent the release of funds a day before polling.

The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is one of the Maharashtra government’s flagship welfare initiatives. Under the scheme, eligible women beneficiaries receive Rs 1,500 per month as financial assistance.

The programme has been widely credited with playing a significant role in the Mahayuti alliance’s victory in the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, making it politically sensitive during subsequent electoral exercises.

The current controversy erupted after BJP leader and state minister Girish Mahajan publicly stated that the instalments for December and January would be credited to beneficiaries’ accounts before Makar Sankranti.

Following the opposition’s objections, the SEC sought a report from Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, asking the state government to clarify whether it intended to release two months’ instalments together just before polling day.

The election body examined whether the proposed disbursement schedule was consistent with the MCC, which restricts governments from announcing or implementing schemes that could influence voters once elections are notified.

Amid the growing political row, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the Ladki Bahin scheme, asserting that it is a continuous welfare programme and not a new announcement tied to elections.

The Chief Minister maintained that routine payments under existing schemes should not be construed as electoral inducements and argued that beneficiaries should not be deprived of assistance due to the election calendar.

Despite the government’s defence, the SEC ruled that the timing of the proposed transfers, just a day before polling, warranted intervention. By barring the January instalment, the Commission sought to ensure compliance with the MCC and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

Officials indicated that the restriction applies only for the election period and does not amount to a permanent suspension of the scheme.