Election Commission Halts Advance 'Ladki Bahin' Payments in Maharashtra Amid MCC

• The State Election Commission (SEC) stopped the Maharashtra government from releasing the January installment of the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme in advance.
• The decision came after complaints regarding media reports claiming beneficiaries would receive Rs 3,000 (Dec & Jan installments) before Jan 14 as a Makar Sankranti gift.
• The SEC clarified that while regular payments can continue, no advance payments are allowed during the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) for municipal corporation elections.
• Opposition leaders, including State Congress leader Sandesh Kondwilkar, complained that the advance payment was an attempt to influence voters before the Jan 15 elections.
• The 'Chief Minister Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' provides Rs 1,500 monthly financial assistance to eligible women and is credited with Mahayuti's 2024 assembly election victory.

Why It Matters: SEC blocked advance 'Ladki Bahin' scheme payments in Maharashtra due to MCC, citing voter influence concerns.