₹75,000 Cr Cash Boost to Bihar Women — Welfare Push or Poll Strategy?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday transferred subsidies worth ₹75,000 crore (~$845 million) to women in election-bound Bihar, as part of a new women-focused employment scheme. The announcement comes just weeks before polls, raising questions on whether this is a welfare push or a strategic bid to win over female voters.
The government said the initiative is aimed at boosting household incomes, job-linked support, and rural empowerment, particularly in low-income districts. Opposition leaders, however, criticized the timing as “election freebies”.
Key Highlights
- Subsidy Size: Direct transfers worth ₹75,000 crore to women beneficiaries.
- Employment Link: Part of a broader scheme tying subsidies to skill and job support.
- Electoral Context: Announcement made just ahead of Bihar’s assembly elections.
Why It Matters
- Women voters: Bihar has over 4 crore women voters — a decisive bloc in elections.
- Economic signal: The move highlights India’s shift toward targeted subsidies over blanket welfare.
- Political narrative: Analysts say this may reshape campaign debates around jobs, inflation, and rural empowerment.
Reactions & Criticism
Supporters hailed the move as “historic for women’s empowerment”, while opposition parties called it a “pre-poll bribe”. Policy experts say that while such subsidies can provide immediate relief, long-term impact depends on sustainable job creation and infrastructure investment.
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