DMK Announces Rs. 1,000 Monthly Allowance for Women in Tamil Nadu
In a move aimed at empowering women in various sectors, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party announced that Rs. 1,000 will be given to women every month in Tamil Nadu. This promise was highlighted in the party’s manifesto and is now set to be implemented across the state.
The scheme, titled the “Artist Women Enfranchisement Scheme,” is expected to benefit women engaged in various industries, including sidewalk businesses, agricultural work, fishing, construction, and low-wage jobs in small shops and businesses. It is noteworthy that no such scheme has been implemented in any state in India so far, setting a precedent for others to follow suit.
The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, has confirmed that the scheme’s launch is scheduled for September 15. To ensure transparency and effective implementation, the government has defined and published the eligibility criteria for women applying under the Artist Women’s Scholarship Scheme.
Under these criteria, women are required to apply for the entitlement only at ration shops in their respective areas. They must also be at least 21 years old and belong to families with an annual income below Rs. 2.5 lakhs. The government has further established economic qualifications to ensure the scheme reaches those in need. In the current financial year, a fund of Rs. 7,000 crores has been allocated for the project.
District Collectors across Tamil Nadu have already begun the groundwork for the successful implementation of the scheme. They are conducting a study to determine the number of eligible women residing in the areas covered by each ration shop.
The news of the Artist Women’s Enfranchisement Scheme has garnered mixed reactions from the women it is intended to benefit. Kamila, a florist from the Erode Pudumai Colony area, expressed how the allowance would be highly beneficial for women like her who solely rely on their own businesses to make a living. She shared her struggles, emphasizing the importance of this financial support and its impact on ensuring food security for vulnerable individuals.
On the other hand, JN Lakshmi Neelakandan, an NGO representative from Erode, expressed disappointment over the conditions and limitations placed upon receiving the entitlement of Rs. 1,000. She argued that the scheme should be available to all heads of households, regardless of their income levels, to avoid any heartache or inequity among neighbors.
Radhika Sivakumar from Velavannagar, Shastrinagar, Erode, also echoed similar sentiments. She recalled how the previous Chief Minister, Karunanidhi, provided free TVs to all ration cardholders without any distinction. She believed that the entitlement scheme, as promised during the elections, should also be offered to all heads of families without any conditions.
In contrast, Ramija Banu from Surampatti Nalrod expressed her optimism and gratitude for the government’s initiative, highlighting the struggles faced by single mothers like her who work tirelessly to support their families. She emphasized the need for prompt implementation and urged party officials to ensure that the entitlement reaches those in genuine need.
However, not all responses were positive. KS Rajeshwari Srinivasan of Kaundachipalayam Puduvalasu criticized the government’s approach, claiming that these schemes often do not reach all impoverished individuals and that tax money is being wasted on numerous initiatives that have already been implemented under the guise of “free” programs. She suggested an alternative approach, wherein women running small businesses could be supported with subsidized pushcarts, allowing them to thrive economically.
Another concern raised by Saranya Gautam from Erode Karungalpalayam was the rising prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, groceries, and fuel. While acknowledging the benefits of the monthly allowance, she stressed the importance of the government addressing these cost increases to alleviate financial burdens faced by individuals like herself.
As the countdown to the scheme’s launch begins, women across Tamil Nadu are hopeful that the Artist Women Enfranchisement Scheme will alleviate financial struggles and empower them to create better lives for themselves and their families.