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What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
With Jharkhand’s first phase of elections concluding on November 13, political promises aimed at women’s empowerment are under scrutiny.
RANCHI: With Jharkhand’s first phase of elections concluding on November 13, political promises aimed at women’s empowerment are under scrutiny. The BJP and JMM have both pledged monthly stipends to women, but residents voice doubts about the effectiveness of these schemes.
Renu Devi, a Ranchi resident, expressed concerns over the limited impact of such initiatives. She told The New Indian, “Only a few women are getting benefits from the scheme, and right now only one thousand rupees are being given.” Later on the question of whether such schemes are helping in the empowerment of women, she pointed to the need for safety, and added, “If the government and parties want to empower women, they must focus on crime. We hear many cases daily—even young girls aren’t safe.”
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Speaking further on crimes in the state she said, “We are not safe here, we keep our doors shut all the time, our girls need to be at home timely or we are always worried, there are no opportunities for women here.”
Nisha Sinha, a homemaker, also shared similar thoughts, emphasizing that the benefits reach only a fraction of women, with payouts limited to one thousand rupees.
Meanwhile, Manoranjan Pandey, an elderly voter, highlighted the disparity between promises and reality: “The BJP promised ₹2,100 monthly, but only ₹1,000 is being given. The JMM’s promise of ₹2,500 also translates to just ₹1,000 now.” Pandey suggested that true empowerment requires employment opportunities, education, and reservation rather than small financial stipends.
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He says, “This money cannot empower women, instead financial stability and empowerment come from employment.”
In October, the BJP introduced the Gogo Didi Yojhana, pledging ₹2,100 per month to all women in Jharkhand, which would begin upon the party assuming power. This initiative was seen as a response to the JMM’s Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojna (MMSY), launched in August, which currently provides ₹1,000 per month to women aged 18-50.
As the election continues, Jharkhand’s women are realising how real empowerment comes, that is, by taking measures that go beyond monetary assistance and address safety, employment, and educational opportunities.
