Women-centric cash schemes have become a prominent feature in Indian politics, particularly during election seasons. These schemes, which provide financial assistance to women, have been implemented by various state governments across the country, with the aim of strengthening the female voter base.
A prime example is the
Subhadra scheme
launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Odisha. This scheme provides an annual assistance of ₹10,000 to eligible women aged 21 to 60. The Subhadra scheme follows similar initiatives already in place by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, demonstrating a trend of using women-centric cash schemes as a political tool.The
Ladli Behna Yojana
in Madhya Pradesh, providing a monthly allowance of ₹1,250, was a key factor in the BJP’s resounding victory in the 2023 state assembly elections. Similarly, the Congress government in Karnataka launched theGruha Lakshmi scheme
, offering ₹2,000 monthly assistance to women heads of BPL families. This scheme aims to bridge the gender gap in financial inclusion and has benefitted over 1.33 crore women.The
Mukhyamantri-Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana
in Maharashtra provides monthly financial assistance of ₹1,500 to women aged 21 to 65, along with additional benefits like free LPG cylinders and skill development programs. West Bengal’sSwasthyasathi scheme
offers ₹1,000 monthly assistance to eligible women, while Jharkhand’sfinancial assistance scheme
provides ₹1,000 monthly to women aged 21 to 50.The effectiveness of these schemes in influencing electoral outcomes is undeniable. The BJP’s success in Madhya Pradesh, following the launch of the Ladli Behna Yojana, is a testament to their impact. Similarly, the high voter turnout in Karnataka, where the Gruha Lakshmi scheme was implemented, suggests a direct correlation between women-centric schemes and increased political participation.
However, the use of such schemes raises concerns about their long-term impact on women’s empowerment and their potential to become a populist tool rather than a genuine mechanism for social and economic upliftment. Critics argue that these schemes may create a dependency on government handouts and fail to address the root causes of gender inequality.
Furthermore, the allocation of resources towards these schemes raises questions about the government’s commitment to other essential social programs. Despite the debates, women-centric cash schemes are likely to remain a prominent feature in Indian politics, with parties strategically utilizing them to garner female votes. The effectiveness of these schemes in achieving long-term empowerment for women remains a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny.
