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New Delhi, Nov 4 (IANS) Senior BJP leader Smriti Irani on Tuesday said the BJP-led NDA is committed to the liberation and empowerment of women, including ‘Jeevika Didis’, and the newly elected government in Bihar will increase the monetary assistance under the employment scheme from Rs 10,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
Addressing a press conference, the former Union minister said that 1.30 crore sisters in Bihar have already received Rs 10,000 in their bank accounts, and the amount will soon be increased to Rs 2 lakh to support their entrepreneurial ventures.
Highlighting the women-centric schemes of the NDA government in the poll-bound state, he said, “Under the Ujjwala scheme, 1.16 crore women in Bihar have received LPG cylinders, making their kitchens smoke-free. More than 11 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) have been started under the Jeevika program to make them self-reliant and reduce their dependence on anyone else.”
She said that if the BJP-led NDA government comes to power, it will intensify this campaign to create a self-reliant environment in Bihar and provide additional monetary assistance of Rs 2 lakh to more than one crore sisters.
Further, highlighting the NDA’s resolve to support the upliftment of women in the legislature, he said that it is the NDA government that brought the landmark law for 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament, enabling them to become public leaders and law makers.
He said this was a “grand conspiracy” and accused it of betraying the people of the state, especially women.
When Tejashwi was questioned about the latest promise of Rs 30,000 under the Mai Bahin scheme, he said it reflected frustration and desperation within the RJD camp.
“Their promise is an attempt to undermine and weaken women power. The grand alliance is desperate to garner support in the elections and hence is resorting to such tactics,” he said.
He said that while the NDA government is providing direct financial assistance to women, the opposition leaders, especially the RJD leaders, are trying to stop this women empowerment.
“It is a matter of great concern that on one hand, the NDA is facilitating the empowerment of women by empowering them economically, but the corrupt alliance is trying to block this empowerment,” he said, referring to the RJD’s proposal to the Election Commission of India to stop the distribution of funds under the employment scheme.
Under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, installments of Rs 10,000 are being transferred to the accounts of ‘Jeevika Didis’ to help them realize their entrepreneurial spirit.
It is noteworthy that more than 1.1 crore women beneficiaries have been selected for this scheme in Bihar. The scheme is implemented by the Department of Rural Development and focuses on promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment among women.
–IANS
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