For decades after independence, women's participation in electoral politics wasn't significant, and they weren't given much importance. This could be because most women stayed away from voting. However, women now hold the power to shape and change governments, leading to more promises and schemes tailored for them.
In Haryana, both Congress and BJP are giving special attention to women in their quest to gain or retain power. Both parties have made numerous promises for women in their manifestos.
Congress has promised that if they come to power, every woman aged between 18 to 60 will receive ₹2,000 monthly. BJP has gone a step further, promising ₹2,100 per month through their 'Lado Lakshmi Yojana' after the elections.
According to the Election Commission, Haryana has approximately 9.6 million female voters. The past two assembly election statistics show that women's voting percentage in Haryana was on par with men's. In 2014, 76% of female voters cast their vote, and in 2019, 67% participated.
In recent years, many state governments have introduced various schemes for women along with monthly allowances. Let’s see how much financial assistance women receive in different states.
Maharashtra | ₹1,500 per month
Last month, the Maharashtra government announced the 'Chief Minister's Maji Ladki Behin Yojana.' Under this scheme, women aged 21 to 65 with an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh will receive ₹1,500 monthly. One crore women in the state will benefit from this scheme.
Chhattisgarh | ₹1,000 per month
In February 2024, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai announced the 'Mahatari Vandan Yojana.' Implemented from March 1, the scheme provides ₹1,000 in 12 installments annually to women. However, only economically disadvantaged women are eligible.
Madhya Pradesh | ₹1,250 per month
In March 2023, the MP government started the 'Chief Minister Ladli Behna Yojana.' Initially, this scheme offered ₹1,000 per month to women with an annual income less than ₹2.5 lakh. Before the last assembly elections, it was increased by ₹250. Now, women receive ₹1,250 monthly. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has promised to increase this to ₹3,000 in the future.
Source: aajtak
West Bengal | ₹1,200 per month
In February 2021, before the assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee started the 'Lakshmi Bhandar Yojana.' This scheme provides financial assistance to women aged 25 to 60. SC and ST women receive ₹1,200 monthly, while others get ₹1,000.
Jharkhand | ₹1,000 per month
Under the 'Chief Minister Maaya Samman Yojana,' women aged 21 to 50 in Jharkhand receive ₹1,000 monthly if their annual income is less than ₹3 lakh. This scheme benefits 4.8 million women.
Karnataka | ₹2,000 per month
On July 19, 2023, the Siddaramaiah government launched the 'Gruhalakshmi Yojana.' This scheme provides ₹2,000 monthly to the female head of the family.
Tamil Nadu | ₹1,200 per month
In September 2023, Chief Minister MK Stalin started the 'Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam Yojana.' This scheme provides ₹1,200 monthly to female heads of families aged 21 and above, with conditions like having an annual income below ₹2.5 lakh, possessing less than 10 acres of land, and using less than 3,600 units of electricity annually.
Himachal Pradesh | ₹1,500 per month
In March this year, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu announced ₹1,500 monthly for women aged 18 to 60. This scheme will be implemented from April 2025.
Two States with Stalled Schemes
In March this year, the Delhi government announced a plan called 'Chief Minister Women’s Honorarium Scheme.' It promises ₹1,000 monthly to women aged 18 and above. However, this plan is yet to be implemented.
Delhi’s Women and Child Development Minister Kailash Gehlot ordered the creation of a cabinet note for its implementation. Once approved by the department, it will be presented to the cabinet and then sent to the lieutenant governor.
Similarly, in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party promised ₹1,000 monthly to women during the 2022 assembly elections. However, this scheme has not been implemented yet.
