Impact of schemes on social ties

Source-This post on Impact of schemes on social ties has been created based on the article “Laapataa Ladies: How public policy impacts personal choice and social ties” published in “The Indian express” on 17 July 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-2- Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation

Context- Recently, news from Maharajganj district, Uttar Pradesh, reported that eleven married women allegedly eloped with their lovers after receiving ₹40,000 from the government’s Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) cash-for-housing scheme.

The National Family Health Survey shows that only 13% of women aged 15-49 own a house independently, and 29% have joint ownership. To address gender gaps in asset ownership, government programs encourage women to be primary beneficiaries of welfare schemes.

Read More- Challenges facing India’s public housing programs

How can economic autonomy ensure personal freedom for women?

1) Empowering Women Through Cash Transfers -Feminist scholars and activists emphasize that government cash transfers to women can boost their intra-household bargaining power. Such transfers may enable women to leave unhappy or abusive marriages. The recent incident shows that romantic independence is often supported by financial independence.

2) Research Findings: Research over 15 years shows that most Indian women see economic independence as essential for their emotional and sexual freedom.

What issues exist in how current policies percieve marginalized communities?

1)   Women as Passive Recipients -It views women as merely passive recipients of welfare benefits or as a uniform voting bloc.

2) Empowerment: It overlooks women’s empowerment beyond stereotypes of “good behavior” or victimhood. The incident in Maharajganj demonstrates that women can make independent choices, even when those choices challenge societal norms.

3) Welfare Program Evaluation– There is a lack of comprehensive approach to evaluating welfare programs that extends beyond merely measuring consumption and leakages.

4) Social Impact of Welfare Schemes: There is insufficient research and documentation on how safety nets affect existing power structures and interpersonal relationships.

What should be the way forward?

1) Inclusive Public Programs -Public programs that support an equitable and inclusive economy can relieve families and marriages from societal pressures and discriminatory norms surrounding love

2) Qualitative Research -There is a need for more qualitative research on how welfare programs like MGNREGA and self-help groups affect labor power and community dynamics.

3) Beneficiaries as Individuals with Aspirations -It’s important to see beneficiaries as real people with hopes for love, joy, and purpose, rather than just data points used for tracking votes or program participation.

Question for practice

What are the problems with how current policies perceive marginalized communities?