India, Jan. 13 -- The State Election Commission on Monday barred the state government from releasing the January instalment of the 'Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin' scheme in advance, citing the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the upcoming municipal elections.

The SEC's clarification came after it received several complaints following media reports saying that BJP leader and minister Girish Mahajan had claimed eligible beneficiaries of the Ladki Bahin scheme will receive a combined transfer of Rs.3,000 for December and January in their bank accounts before Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14. Mahajan termed it a "special gift" from chief minister Devendra Fadnavis.

This prompted the SEC to send a letter to the state chief s...