NEW DELHI: BJP is likely to introduce a scheme for women in its manifesto with an assurance of a monthly Rs 2,500 to counter AAP’s Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojna, which offers them Rs 1,000. The party may also propose another monetary assistance for women, with a once-a-year disbursement of around Rs 1,000 during festivals like Chhath Puja or Karwa Chauth.
The AAP govt launched the Mahila Samman Yojna recently, under which eligible women above the age of 18 have been promised a monthly financial assistance of 1,000, which would eventually increase to 2,100.
A BJP functionary said that the manifesto committee was examining direct cash transfer schemes operating in party-ruled states. He said the exact amount for beneficiaries was yet to be finalised, but it would definitely be more than that being promised by AAP.
BJP-ruled Madhya Pradesh has the Ladli Behna and Maharashtra has the Ladki Bahin Yojna, in which cash is directly deposited in a woman’s account.
In AAP’s scheme, govt, women above 18 years and residents of Delhi as on Dec 12 and who are registered voters will be eligible to avail of the Mahila Samman benefit. However, current or former permanent govt employees, MPs, MLAs and municipal councillors and women who paid income tax in the previous assessment cycle are not eligible for the handout.
Another BJP functionary said that in its manifesto, BJP would assure the people that it would continue with existing freebies on water and electricity. Delhi govt provides free electricity to consumers using up to 200 units per month. A 50% subsidy is provided to those consuming 201 to 400 units of power every month. Domestic consumers using up to 20,000 litres of water get a similar subsidy.
To seek suggestions from the public before preparing its manifesto for coming assembly polls, Delhi BJP launched a campaign earlier this month called ‘Meri Dilli Mera Sankalp BJP’. The feedback and other issues the party was working on, including job security, wage revision and scholarships for students, would be incorporated in the election document.
“A large section of Delhi’s people works in unorganised sectors and complain of a lack of job security and minimum wages not being paid. Those who work in the govt sector also complain of their contractual jobs not being regularised,” another functionary said. He added that BJP, in its announcements ahead of polls as well as in its manifesto, would address all these concerns. He stated that the people of Delhi were aware that BJP was in a better position to make changes in laws as they ran the govt at the Centre too. “If we come to power in Delhi, we will ensure that these sectors are regulated,” he said.
