SEC probes claims of Ladki Bahin aid before Maharashtra civic elections 2026

The Maharashtra SEC has sought a report from the chief secretary on a ministers claims that the Ladki Bahin Yojana financial aid would be disbursed to beneficiaries before Makar Sankranti amid allegations of violation of the Model Code of ConductThe move followed complaints by Opposition parties which alleged that the timing of the proposed disbursal amounted to an inducement to women voters ahead of elections to 29 municipal corporations scheduled on January 15SEC asks Chief Secretary for report by MondayThe State Election Commission SEC has asked Chief Secretary Rajesh Agarwal to submit a report on Monday sources told PTIThe Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship scheme of the state government under which eligible women beneficiaries get a monthly assistance of Rs 1500 The scheme is widely credited with helping the Mahayuti secure victory in the 2024 assembly electionsGirish Mahajan announces twomonth payout before Makar SankrantiIn a social media post last week BJP leader and state minister Girish Mahajan said the assistance of Rs 3000 covering instalments for December 2025 and January 2026 would be deposited into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries before Makar Sankranti which falls on January 14Congress submits complaint to SECState Congress leader and advocate Sandesh Kondvilkar submitted a complaint to the SEC on Saturday claiming the payment was proposed for January 14 a day before polling and sought its intervention to stop the transferSEC seeks clarification on timing of paymentThe SEC sent a letter to the state chief secretary on Sunday seeking clarification on the factual position and whether the government intended to release two months instalments together just ahead of the polls with a response sought by 11 am on Monday the sources saidFadnavis defends Ladki Bahin YojanaAmid the controversy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the Ladki Bahin Yojana was a continuous scheme of the state government and did not fall under the restrictions of the election code of conductlsquoCongress tried to stop the scheme now wants funds haltedrsquo says FadnavisAmid the raging over the timing of the disbursement of the financial aid to eligible beneficiaries of Ladki Bahin Yojana Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hit back saying that ldquoWhen we started the scheme Congress leaders went to the High Court to stop it but that petition didnt hold Now they are saying dont give the money Ladki Bahin is a continuous ongoing scheme of the state government and such schemes do not fall under the restrictions of the election code of conduct No matter what Congress says the funds will be given to our beloved sistersCongress objects to eveofpoll disbursalMaharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal has however said the party was not opposed to the scheme but objected to the release of two months assistance on the eve of voting calling it a clear violation of the model code of conductWith inputs from PTI