Ladki Bahin aid before civic polls, claims Minister; SEC seeks report as Opposition protests

Key Highlights

• An official from the state Women and Child Development Department, however, struck a cautious note, saying there could be a delay in the disbursal of instalments under the scheme as the Model Code of Conduct would remain in force until the elections conclude.
• "Beneficiaries may have to wait for the funds," the official said.
• The Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana is a flagship scheme of the state government under which eligible women beneficiaries get a monthly assistance of ₹1,500.
• The scheme is widely credited with helping the Mahayuti secure victory in the 2024 State Assembly elections.
• In a post on X on January 7, BJP leader Mahajan claimed eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive a combined transfer of ₹3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14, terming it a "special gift" from Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.