Freebies for women take centrestage

Jharkhand's ruling and opposition alliances are trying to target 12.8 million women voters in the state in the run-up to the November 13 and 20 assembly elections, continuing the trend of parties across states launching schemes aimed at women if in power already (Madhya Pradesh is a case in point) or promising to do so if they come to power (Karnataka).

- Vishal Kant

On August 3, Hemant Soren's government launched Mukhyamantri Maiyan Samman Yojna giving ₹1000 per month to all women in the age group 18-25.

Around a fortnight before the state polls were announced on October 15, the principal opposition BJP announced a counter scheme, Gogo-Didi Yojna promising ₹2100 per month to all women, payable on 11th of every month if it came to power.

Soren's JMM-Congress-RJD government responded speedily. In its last cabinet, a day before the announcement of polls, the state cabinet approved a proposal to increase the amount to be paid under Maiyan Samman from ₹1000 to ₹2500.