RANCHI: With Jharkhandโs first phase of elections concluding on November 13, political promises aimed at womenโs 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, โOnly a few women are getting benefits from the scheme, and right now only one thousand rupees are being given.โ Later on the question of whether such schemes are helping in the empowerment of women, she pointed to the need for safety, and added, โIf the government and parties want to empower women, they must focus on crime. We hear many cases dailyโeven young girls arenโt safe.โ
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Speaking further on crimes in the state she said, โWe 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.โ
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: โThe BJP promised โน2,100 monthly, but only โน1,000 is being given. The JMMโs promise of โน2,500 also translates to just โน1,000 now.โ Pandey suggested that true empowerment requires employment opportunities, education, and reservation rather than small financial stipends.
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He says, โThis money cannot empower women, instead financial stability and empowerment come from employment.โ
In October, the BJP introduced the Gogo Didi Yojhana, pledging โน2,100 per month to all women in Jharkhand, which would begin upon the party assuming power. This initiative was seen as a response to the JMMโs Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojna (MMSY), launched in August, which currently provides โน1,000 per month to women aged 18-50.
As the election continues, Jharkhandโs women are realising how real empowerment comes, that is, by taking measures that go beyond monetary assistance and address safety, employment, and educational opportunities.
