Ladli Behna Yojana Faces Setback: Election Commission Stops Advance Installment Release

Key Highlights:

• Election Commission stopped the advance January installment under the Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana in Maharashtra.

• Only the December 2025 regular installment of ₹1,500 is allowed during elections.

• Congress objected, calling the advance payment a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

• Over 7,000 women were removed from the Ladli Behna Yojana list in Burhanpur, MP.

• 32nd Ladli Behna Yojana installment in MP likely on January 15, no official confirmation.

A major update has come regarding women-centric welfare schemes in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The advance release of installments under the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana has been stopped by the State Election Commission, while thousands of women in Madhya Pradesh have been removed from the Ladli Behna Yojana beneficiary list. These developments have created concern among millions of women dependent on these schemes.

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Why Was the Ladki Behen Yojana Installment Stopped in Maharashtra?

The Maharashtra government had announced that on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, two installments of the Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana—December 2025 and January 2026—worth a total of ₹3,000 would be transferred together to beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

However, the Congress party objected to this decision, stating that releasing advance installments during elections violates the Model Code of Conduct. Maharashtra Congress General Secretary Sandesh Kondvilkar submitted a written complaint to the State Election Commission, calling the move an attempt to influence voters just before elections. Municipal corporation elections in 29 cities are scheduled for January 15, which intensified the controversy.

The Congress termed the proposed payment a “mass government bribe” and demanded immediate action from the Commission.

Election Commission’s Action and Government’s Clarification

After receiving the complaint, the State Election Commission sought a detailed report from Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal. In his response, the Chief Secretary clarified that the Majhi Ladki Behen Yojana is a continuous welfare scheme, similar to the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana, and such schemes are usually allowed to continue during elections. Despite this explanation, the Election Commission issued clear and final instructions.

What the Election Commission Allowed and What It Stopped

The Commission ruled that:

• The regular installment of ₹1,500 for December 2025 can be released.

• The January 2026 installment cannot be paid in advance.

• No new beneficiaries can be added.

• No additional benefits can be announced during the code of conduct period.

As a result, the government was barred from transferring the January installment before January 14, affecting over 1 crore women enrolled in the scheme across Maharashtra.

Ladli Behna Yojana Shock for Women in Madhya Pradesh

At the same time, troubling news has emerged from the Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh. More than 7,000 women have been excluded from the Ladli Behna Yojana beneficiary list at the start of the new year.

Women affected include:

• Those who crossed the maximum age limit of 60 years

• Beneficiaries whose Aadhaar cards were deleted

• Cases with document or data errors

In total, around 3,372 women have been directly impacted due to these removals.

Curiosity Over 32nd Installment of Ladli Behna Yojana in MP

There is growing anticipation among 1.29 crore women beneficiaries in Madhya Pradesh regarding the 32nd installment of the Ladli Behna Yojana. Under the scheme, eligible women receive ₹1,500 per month, which supports household needs, children’s education, and daily expenses.

According to media reports, the January 2026 installment may be credited on Makar Sankranti, January 15, 2026. However, no official announcement has been made by the state government so far.

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CMV360 Says

The recent decisions by the Election Commission and beneficiary list revisions have created uncertainty around Ladli Behna schemes in both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. While election rules have halted advance payments in Maharashtra, exclusions in Madhya Pradesh have left thousands of women without support. Beneficiaries are now waiting for clarity and timely installment releases from their respective state governments.