AIADMK Promises Monthly ₹2,000 to Women, Extends Free Bus Travel
AIADMK announces poll promises including monthly assistance to women and free bus travel.
Key Facts
AIADMK: Promised ₹2,000 monthly to women
Free bus travel: Extended to men
Rural Employment Guarantee: Increased to 150 days
Two-wheelers: Subsidy of ₹25,000 for 5 lakh women
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Social Justice, Welfare Schemes
GS Paper III: Economy, Resource Mobilization
Potential for questions on fiscal implications of welfare schemes
Visual Insights
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Background
The concept of providing financial assistance to women has historical roots in various social welfare programs and empowerment initiatives. Pre-independence, localized philanthropic efforts often targeted vulnerable women. Post-independence, community development programs in the 1950s and 60s included components aimed at improving women's economic status.
The Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA), founded in 1972, was a pioneering organization that focused on organizing and empowering women in the informal sector. The National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, adopted in 2001, provided a comprehensive framework for advancing women's rights and promoting their socio-economic development. State-level schemes, such as those in Tamil Nadu, have often served as models for national programs, demonstrating the impact of targeted interventions on women's well-being.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on direct benefit transfer (DBT) schemes to ensure efficient and transparent delivery of welfare benefits to women. Several states have launched schemes providing financial assistance to women, often linked to specific criteria such as education, marriage, or motherhood. The debate surrounding these schemes often centers on their fiscal sustainability, targeting efficiency, and potential impact on women's labor force participation.
Some studies suggest that unconditional cash transfers can improve women's health, education, and economic outcomes, while others raise concerns about potential dependency and misuse of funds. The future outlook involves greater use of technology and data analytics to improve targeting and monitoring of these schemes, as well as a focus on integrating them with other programs aimed at women's empowerment.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the potential impact of schemes providing direct financial assistance to women: 1. Such schemes invariably lead to a decrease in women's participation in the workforce due to increased financial independence. 2. These schemes can contribute to improved health and education outcomes for women and their families. 3. The effectiveness of such schemes is solely dependent on the amount of financial assistance provided, irrespective of implementation strategies. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- A.1 and 3 only
- B.2 only
- C.1 and 2 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statement 1 is incorrect as increased financial independence doesn't necessarily decrease workforce participation; it can empower women to seek better opportunities. Statement 3 is incorrect because implementation strategies, monitoring, and community involvement are crucial for the success of such schemes.
2. The 'Amma Two-Wheeler Scheme', recently mentioned in the news, was primarily aimed at:
- A.Providing free two-wheelers to all women in Tamil Nadu.
- B.Subsidizing the purchase of two-wheelers for working women.
- C.Offering driving lessons to women in rural areas.
- D.Promoting the use of electric vehicles among women.
Show Answer
Answer: B
The Amma Two-Wheeler Scheme provided a subsidy to working women for the purchase of two-wheelers, aiming to enhance their mobility and access to employment opportunities.
3. Which of the following constitutional provisions is most directly related to the state government's ability to implement welfare schemes such as providing financial assistance to women?
- A.Article 14: Equality before law
- B.Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty
- C.Article 39: Certain principles of policy to be followed by the State (Directive Principles of State Policy)
- D.Article 300A: Right to property
Show Answer
Answer: C
Article 39, a Directive Principle of State Policy, directs the State to secure that the citizens, men and women equally, have the right to an adequate means of livelihood. This provides the constitutional basis for welfare schemes.