Nagpur: The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has issued a notice to the Maharashtra state government, questioning the legality and validity of the 'Mukhyamantri Ladki Bahin' and other freebie schemes. The notice was issued on Tuesday in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by social worker Anil Wadpalliwar, who challenged the schemes.

A division bench comprising Justice Bharti Dangre and Justice Abhay Mantri directed the state government to clarify its position on these welfare programs by October 23. In an earlier hearing, the court had refrained from issuing a notice, instructing the petitioner to provide legal grounds for challenging the freebie schemes. 

Advocate Shrirang Bhandarkar, representing Wadpalliwar, submitted legal provisions restricting the use of taxpayer money on such schemes, arguing that the programs were irrational and introduced with a view to influencing voters ahead of the state legislative assembly elections later this year.

Bhandarkar further contended that while the court may not interfere in legislative policy decisions, the rationale, intent, and objectives of these populist initiatives were questionable. He alleged that the schemes were financially and socially harmful to the state and detrimental to the exchequer. Additionally, he accused certain sitting MLAs and cabinet ministers of pressuring voters, threatening that the benefits of the schemes would be withdrawn if they did not support the ruling party in the upcoming elections.

The court has asked the state government to present its defense on the matter during the next hearing.