Is It Vote politics To Give Rs.1000 To Women? Here’s The Truth From Global Statistics

Tamil Nadu is a pioneer state in India for schemes like Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam. India has just started following the 33% reservation for women which was implemented in Tamil Nadu long back. Soon the day will come, when India will implement the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam also in all states.

Global gender gap index ranks 146 countries totally among which India got 127th rank. Globally, the estimated average annual income of women is 11,000 USD and for men, 21,000 USD. As per the statistics, women earn only half of men's income which indicates the existence of gender based disparities in income even when men and women are considered equal.

According to International Labour Organisation's 2022 data, the female labour force participation rate is 23.97% in India and 28.5% in Tamil Nadu, a 4% lead when compared to India. Considering all the facts, Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam was introduced to give economic recognition to the undervalued work of women.

Economic Survey for the financial year 2022-23 highlights the increase in female labour force participation rate by 12% in Tamil Nadu. Pioneer schemes like the free bus ride scheme for women introduced by CM Stalin increased commuting as well as economic opportunities for women.

Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam was also introduced to give economic independence to women from poor families who are engaged in low-wage jobs like agricultural work, domestic work, daily labour etc. The Tamil Nadu government has implemented schemes for women after analysing the data of various global reports. Therefore it is illogical to blame the government for introducing the schemes to secure the votes of women.

Women beneficiaries' opinions about the schemes:

A woman who is a mother, doing daily wages said, "My son will always cry and ask me Rs.100 for purchasing notebooks which I will not be able to provide owing to our financial situation. Now, the government is giving Rs.1000 each month with which I can purchase the needed accessories for my son. Now our family can lead a debt free life."

It is normal for a beneficiary from poor family to praise the scheme but a woman from educated class said, "Rs.1000 may not be a big deal for someone in a well-paid job but it is definitely an improvement for daily wage labourers because it brings hope and happiness to the members of the family."

A woman running a flower shop in Chennai city said, "After marriage, my daughter is with their in-laws. I am a widow running a flower shop and supporting my mother as well. Our livelihood depends on flower sales which is a seasonal job. During the rainy season, flower sales will be disrupted which in turn disrupts our income and livelihood. In this situation, CM Stalin introduced a scheme which provides Rs.1000 in our hands and makes our livelihood stable. The amount helps us to either pay the current bill or buy groceries. My sincere thanks to CM Stalin who introduced such a scheme."

A woman graduate said, "I am a BSc graduate who became homemaker after marriage. When I tried for jobs, everywhere the prerequisite was a computer science course certificate. There was no facility in our village to study computer science courses. Eventually, I came across a free computer class taught by women in Uthiramerur. The problem here is the commuting expense which was taken care of by CM Stalin's free bus ride scheme."

She continued, "Free bus ride scheme helped me complete the 4-month course and now Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam gave Rs.1000 in my hands which will be useful for studying other courses or buying groceries when my husband's income is not sufficient. I am a direct beneficiary of 2 schemes introduced by CM Stalin. I am eternally grateful for the help rendered by CM Stalin."