Rs 2,100 vs Rs 1,000: Why BJP is set to take Haryana Lado Lakshmi pitch to Punjab polls

In the run-up to the upcoming Punjab polls, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is gearing up to utilize its expanded Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana to its advantage. This scheme mandates that women be aged 23 or above, belong to a family with an annual income not exceeding Rs 1.80 lakh, and either have resided in Haryana for at least 15 years or have a husband who has.

In comparison, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana offers Rs 1,000 monthly assistance to nearly all women aged 18 and above, excluding only those who are income-tax payees, government employees, and serving or former MPs and MLAs.

BJP leaders, including state BJP media secretary Praveen Attrey, claim that the Haryana scheme's broader eligibility criteria and higher monthly assistance of Rs 2,100 will resonate with voters in Punjab, potentially swaying their support. The expanded Lado Lakshmi Yojana is expected to cover an additional 27 lakh Haryana women, bringing the total to nearly 28 lakh, according to Attrey.

However, the AAP has contested the BJP's claims, stating that the expanded scheme's eligibility conditions are too stringent and that Punjab's scheme would benefit over 95% of women. The party has also refuted allegations that registering for the Lado Lakshmi Yojana would lead to the loss of other benefits, including pensions. Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has dismissed these allegations, assuring that women registering for or receiving benefits under his scheme will continue to receive benefits under other government schemes.