Cash Schemes for Women

Schemes offering fixed monthly payments to women, such as Madhya Pradesh’s Ladli Behna Yojana, have emerged as potent vote-winning strategies for political parties. These initiatives, while easing financial strain on women, highlight a broader political trend: it is easier to transfer cash directly than tackle systemic challenges like job creation, poverty alleviation, or improving farmer welfare. Recently, Arvind Kejriwal announced a similar scheme ahead of Delhi elections, promising Rs1,000 per month for women, which proves its growing popularity among leaders. The schemes place financial burden on state treasuries, yet their political efficacy remains undeniable. Taxpayers ultimately bear the cost of these measures, which often prioritize immediate political gains over long-term developmental reforms. However, as long as such schemes resonate with voters, they are likely to remain a key tool in election strategies.

Neha Ahirwar