Context:
Recently, Prime Minister launched Mahtari Vandan Yojana scheme in Chhattisgarh.
About Mahtari Vandan Yojana
- It is a financial assistance scheme for married women.
- Eligible beneficiaries will receive an annual sum of ₹12,000, disbursed in monthly instalments of ₹1,000 directly to their bank accounts.
Eligibility:
- Must be a female resident of Chhattisgarh.
- Must be married, widowed, divorced, or abandoned.
- Must be 21 years of age or older as of January 1, 2024.
- Women receiving less than ₹1,000 per month from other pension schemes will get additional funds to bring their total monthly pension to ₹1,000.
Objectives:
- To maintain the self-reliance of women and continuous improvement in the health and nutritional status of their dependent children.
- Makes women more financially independent and promotes gender equality.
- To encourage effective role of women in decision making at family level.
Challenges
- Strain on Exchequer: The scheme may require a significant amount of government funding, which could put a strain on the national budget. This could lead to cutbacks in other important areas.
- Illiteracy and Patriarchal Society: If beneficiaries are unaware of the scheme or lack the ability to navigate the application process, they may miss out. In patriarchal societies, women, who might be the intended beneficiaries, may be restricted from accessing the scheme’s resources.
- Inefficiency and Corruption: Bureaucracy and lack of transparency can lead to delays, misuse of funds, and the scheme not reaching those who truly need it.
Other initiatives for women’s well-being:
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Lakhpati Didi, Jan Dhan Accounts, Mudra Loans, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Ujjwala.