Cash Transfer Schemes for Women

Source: The post Global Plastics Treaty has been created, based on the article “A cut in time” published in “The Hindu” on 5th December 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

Context: In the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, cash transfer schemes targeting women voters took center stage. Maharashtra government introduced the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, offering ₹1,500 monthly to eligible women, while Jharkhand government had also launched the Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana, providing ₹1,000 monthly. These schemes highlighted efforts to appeal to women through direct financial aid. Cash Transfer Schemes for Women

How common are direct cash transfer schemes in India?

1. As per Axis Bank, 14 States already have similar schemes, covering nearly 20% of India’s adult female population.
2. This reflects a growing popularity of cash transfer schemes for women across States.

What role does the increasing presence of women in public-political spaces play?

1. Women’s voter turnout rose from 47% in 1962 to 66% in 2024.Women are increasingly voting independently, creating a strong ‘women constituency.’
2. Political parties face pressure to cater to women voters, especially during close elections.

How does Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) contribute to the trend?

DBT eliminates middlemen, reducing corruption and ensuring direct delivery of benefits. This strengthens the relationship between leaders and citizens, termed ‘techno-patrimonialism’ by scholars YaminiAiyar and NeelanjanSircar.

Why are cash transfers appealing to governments and voters?

1. Cash transfers are a quick way to showcase government commitment. Unlike long-term projects like improving schools or hospitals, cash transfers have immediate visibility and impact.
2. Regular credits remind beneficiaries of the ruling government’s support, enhancing voter loyalty.

Is the emphasis on cash transfer schemes limiting welfare innovation?

1. A lack of diversity in welfare schemes suggests a deficiency in imaginative policymaking.
2. Even Opposition-ruled States mirror BJP-led DBT strategies, indicating a homogenized approach to welfare.

What are the challenges associated with DBT-focused welfare?

1. Prioritizing efficiency via technology sidelines the need to improve state capacity.
2. By encouraging citizens to seek private alternatives, DBT inadvertently pushes the poor to disengage from state-provided services.
3. This approach acts as a temporary fix, neglecting the systemic issues in welfare delivery.