'A rather intriguing scandal, termed as the womb scandal. Even men were alleged to have had their uteri removed. The reality of Bihar...' was humorously highlighted by RJD's Priyanka Bharti at the Panchayat Aaj Tak session on the 'Chief Minister Women's Employment Scheme.' She took a direct aim at the Nitish Kumar government. In response, BJP's Bihar MLC and spokesperson Anamika Patel, along with JDU spokesperson Anupriya Yadav, delivered a sharp retort.
Priyanka Bharti further mentioned that the President of Denmark had apologized for actions taken centuries ago, questioning when Nitish Kumar would do the same. Responding to Priyanka, Anamika Patel countered, suggesting that at least those whose tenure saw high-profile injustices should remain quiet on women’s safety. Organized crime no longer terrorizes Bihar.
During the Panchayat Aaj Tak gathering, a comprehensive discussion unfolded concerning promises made for women's advancement in Bihar. BJP's spokesperson Anamika Patel opened the debate, emphasizing that women's genuine empowerment would commence only when they gain access and actively participate in policy and decision-making spheres.
Is Prohibition or Giving 10,000 Rupees Truly Women's Empowerment?
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Responding to this, Anamika stated that respect and safety are paramount for women. She cited that women prioritized safety in the Uttar Pradesh elections. By making Bihar safer, women gained the confidence to step out and work. Previously, they couldn't even visit hospitals or offices due to safety concerns on the streets. Now, women in self-help groups are ensuring cleanliness in hospitals and providing services in anganwadi centers. This is also employment.
Talking about the ten thousand rupees assistance, she emphasized it as a significant amount for many women, allowing them to start small ventures with dignity and without borrowing. On prohibition, she added that several women from traditionally RJD-supporting Yadav communities stated they were thankful, as their husbands no longer returned home intoxicated, preventing domestic issues. Their sons will pursue education and progress, not become vigilantes.
What Jobs in 10,000?
JDU spokesperson Anupriya Yadav addressed this, explaining that the 'Chief Minister Women's Employment Scheme' isn't just about ten thousand rupees but marks the beginning of women's self-reliance. It resonates with initiatives like 'Jeevika', started when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar sought World Bank loans to engage women economically. Today, over a crore women are part of Jeevika, contributing to Bihar's developmental journey.
She noted that during Lalu Yadav's time, daughters feared stepping out, hindering their education. Today, these women engage in work with confidence. Nitish Kumar didn't just provide financial aid; he instilled belief in them to contribute to both family and society.
Anupriya added that the ten thousand rupees is just a starting point. It empowers women to begin small-scale businesses such as tailoring, beauty parlors, or vegetable selling. The government also provides training and market access. She recalled that since taking office in 2005, Nitish Kumar ensured 50% reservation for women in panchayats, empowering many to partake in governance.
Opposition Holds a Mirror
RJD spokesperson Priyanka Bharti claimed that while announcements in the name of women are made profusely, the real situation is evident on Bihar's streets and in homes, demanding accountability. BJP and JDU boast about empowering women, but the truth is women taking loans under the 'Jeevika' or 'Women's Employment Scheme' are buried in debt. An India Today report cites one crore nine lakh women trapped in debt with micro-financing companies. Twenty women have committed suicide. When the government hands out ten thousand rupees, the same micro-financing companies reach their homes, threatening to kidnap their daughters as collateral.
How True Are Bihar's Claims of Women's Safety?
Priyanka further commented on safety, stating that in Nitish Kumar's home district of Nalanda, a recent incident involved hammering nine nails into a woman's leg. These nails symbolize Bihar's fate, embodying migration, rape, corruption, poverty, hunger, and every crime. If injustice doesn't seem visible, examine the ticket distribution. Abhishek Kumar, aka Newton, awarded a ticket, is the son of Manju Verma, involved during the Muzaffarpur shelter home scandal. Recently, a half-naked girl's corpse was found in the pond behind her marriage hall, with no FIR filed.
Schemes Only on Paper, Not on Ground
Political analyst Dr. Madhu Bala argued that empowering women shouldn't be restricted to slogans. While acknowledging that Nitish Kumar started with women's reservation in panchayats, she questioned whether the 'Chief Minister Women's Employment Scheme' is truly a step towards empowerment or an electoral bribe.
She questioned the timing of depositing ten thousand rupees into women's accounts just before the implementation of the election code. Are we making them self-reliant or parasitic? According to Dr. Madhu Bala, a sum of ten thousand cannot establish permanent employment or skill development. Even a quality electric sewing machine costs around fourteen thousand, so what can one start with ten thousand? Ideas like selling vegetables or opening beauty parlors are traditional thinking. True empowerment requires a solid plan connecting women with training, guidance, and markets.
She alleged that through this scheme, the government tries to woo women before festivals. It appears strategized to empty the treasury to win elections. In the past five years, only 8,826 women received entrepreneurial loans without any review of their success. This suggests the scheme exists solely on paper, lacking ground reality.
Nitish Government Entrapping in Debt
Spokesperson Sonali Anand from Prashant Kishor's Jansuraj Party remarked that 'Jeevika' has existed for fifteen years. Over 40,000 crore rupees have been offered to women as loans, entrapping them in debt. Now, the government plans to distribute another 30,000 crore. Who will ultimately bear this burden? Bihar already grapples with approximately 61,000 rupees of debt per citizen.
Sonali stated that the government is slashing budgets in rural development, health, and infrastructure while distributing hard cash before elections. This is clearly electoral maneuvering, not an economic policy. Highlighting Jansuraj's vision, she emphasized a focus on societal growth, offering loans with affordable interest to women and youth, with government-backed interest subsidy. Development ensues when both women and youth progress collaboratively.
Anamika lashed out at the opposition, asserting that these aren't electoral bribes, but expressions of Nitish Kumar's compassion, intending to instill dignity and safety in every daughter. Bihar's women vote based on experience, and that experience aligns with the NDA.
