BJP Weighs Cash Aid Scheme For Women Ahead Of UP Polls As Akhilesh Promises ₹40,000 Assistance

In the lead-up to the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, the BJP government is contemplating a cash assistance program for economically disadvantaged women, positioning it as a key battleground between the BJP and the Samajwadi Party. Reports suggest the proposed scheme could grant up to Rs 50,000 to eligible women, with an initial disbursement of Rs 20,000 followed by three further installments of Rs 10,000 each, should the NDA government reclaim power.

This initiative is modeled after similar financial aid schemes launched in other states, targeting women from weaker economic backgrounds, lower-income families, and Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, and Below Poverty Line households. However, the eligibility criteria for this proposed assistance are still under finalization. Noida-based sources indicate that families with an annual income between Rs 8 lakh and Rs 12 lakh could be considered for this assistance.

While the Uttar Pradesh Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna did not confirm the exact amount or payment structure, he affirmed that women's empowerment remains a priority for the BJP-led government. Khanna stated that if there is a demand from women's organizations, the state government would consider and implement the scheme accordingly.

The BJP has previously pledged to work towards the economic and social uplift of women, as outlined in its election manifesto. The state has implemented several welfare programs, including Mukhyamantri Kanya Sumangala Yojana, Rani Lakshmibai Mahila Evam Bal Samman Kosh, Mukhyamantri Samuhik Vivah Yojana, Women Self Help Groups, and Lakhpati, all aimed at empowering women economically.

The existing initiatives such as the Kanya Sumangala scheme, which has benefited around 28 lakh women with Rs 1 lakh each for education, demonstrate the BJP’s commitment to women's welfare. Regarding the opposition's claims, Akhilesh Yadav, President of the Samajwadi Party, dismissed the BJP's proposal as mere election rhetoric, arguing that if the SP were to return to power, it would offer women Rs 40,000 annually, with the amount rising each year.

Yadav criticized the BJP's reliance on financial incentives to win votes, suggesting that the funds in question were "ill-gotten gains" that women would not accept. He also pointed out that similar schemes in other states have faced issues like delayed payments, recovery demands, and even police action against beneficiaries who could not repay the money.

Yadav emphasized that the BJP government could have provided financial aid during its ten years in office but instead allocated significant funds to publicity campaigns. As both parties make women's economic empowerment a centerpiece of their election campaigns, the issue is poised to be a significant campaign theme as Uttar Pradesh approaches the 2027 Assembly elections.