Women in Delhi Seek Relief from BJP Govt with Vote for Cash DBT
Sangeeta, Anupama and Ambareen & Delhi CM Rekha Gupta in background.
Women Ask BJP Govt to Stop Blame Game & Fulfil Poll Promises
Delhi government is likely to implement the Mahila Samridhi Yojna with ₹2500 cash transfer on March 8 to commemorate the International Women’s Day. Delhi women look up with hope towards Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Bhawna Malik for The Raisina Hills spoke to women in Delhi to know what the women want on direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme.
“During campaigning, the BJP promised to give ₹2500. Why didn’t the BJP check the exchequer before making the promise,” asked Sangeeta Narula, a housewife. She said that the BJP government should avoid giving excuses.
“The BJP is in power, both at the Centre and Delhi. The actions of the BJP government in Delhi should match their promises made during elections,” added Narula.
She stated that the “the common women aren’t interested to know whether the AAP government emptied the exchequer or nor. The blame game must end.”
Ambreen Fatima, a social worker also favoured the city government fulfilling promise made to the women for ₹2500 per month direct transfer in the bank accounts. “Something is better than nothing. Even having a little amount of money helps a woman to buy medicine or monthly ration. This scheme will surely be of help to all the underprivileged women, who are financially weak or who have no earning family member,” she stated.
Ambreen said that She “works with persons with disabilities and they lack employment opportunities. Sometimes, they need a 24/7 attendant and their family members have to quit jobs.” “This amount can surely be a confidence booster for the disabled non-working women,” Ambreen further stated.
The city government is yet to spell out the inclusion criteria for the ‘Mahila Samriddhi Yojna’ for women in 18-60 years age group. Women should be a resident of Delhi for at least last 10 years to be beneficiary of the scheme. The annual income limits for beneficiaries have not yet been specified by the city government.
The BJP government is also mulling over whether the scheme should be given to the women above 18 years of age or married women above 25 years of age. Gupta has said that the first instalment would be transferred into the accounts of women on March 8. The entire process would be completed in one and a half months’ time, the Chief Minister has said.
But a few women also expressed reservations about the scheme. They argued that those who are covered under other welfare schemes should be kept out of the purview. They stated that “there is no need as the less privileged already enjoys benefits from the government under various schemes”.
Delhi Elections: BJP Unveils ‘Revdi’ Basket with ₹2500 for Women
But others insisted that “this will be a step to empower those who do not have family support”. Geeta, a hair stylist, opined: “If the government lacks funds, they should focus on tackling price rise. Instead of giving free cylinders, they must ensure subsidised rates for all and also the daily food items must be less costly. It is difficult to manage the expenses. Roti, Kapda aur makaan are not luxuries but basic needs that every government must provide.”
The yardstick to measure the needy or the under privileged stands blurred as there is no clear criteria available. There are contractual women workers who earn less than ₹2.5 lakhs annually but they have other family members also earning. Should they be covered under this scheme, asked some women.
“Every needy woman regardless of the circumstances whether other family members are working or not must get this benefit,” said Anupama Yadav, a writer by profession. No woman must be left out or singled out for this scheme, she added.
“The fortunate ones must understand the dilemma of the needy. No one can decide or dictate the need of the other. It’s the right of every woman to have a life of dignity and financial independence indeed symbolises that,” said Yadav.
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