Before the Lok Sabha elections, Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi and Deputy Chief Whip in the Assembly Kewal Singh Pathania criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that their claim of being supportive of women is insincere. They asserted that this claim emerged only after the BJP ceased providing them with Rs 1500 under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Brahmin Sukh Samman Nidhi scheme.
“The BJP has insulted women by stopping Rs 1500 of Indira Gandhi Pyari Brahmin Sukh Samman Nidhi. BJP only pretends to be women-friendly. BJP does nothing for women except take votes in elections,” Negi said.
Negi and Pathania emphasized that if the BJP-imposed ban, enforced through the Election Commission, on providing Rs 1500 to women is not lifted, the government will disburse three months’ worth of payment to eligible women in June. Chief Minister Sukhu’s recent declaration in Galod, Nadaun Assembly Constituency, regarding this matter is commendable. Regardless of the BJP’s opposition, women will receive this amount starting from April 2024.
“The first monthly installment of the scheme has reached the accounts of women of Lahaul and Spiti district. Women from other districts of the state were also to get the benefits of this scheme from April 1, 2024. The government has also approved a budget of Rs 800 crore in the cabinet meeting to implement the scheme in the entire state. Notification for implementing the scheme from April 1 has already been issued. Despite this, the BJP approached the Election Commission and got the plan banned,” he added.
Challenging Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur, Negi and Pathania asserted that previously, Thakur repeatedly criticized the Congress government for not delivering on its promise to provide Rs 1500 to women. However, when the government began implementing the scheme, he sought intervention from the Election Commission to prohibit it.
This has uncovered the BJP’s hypocrisy and Jairam Thakur’s duplicity in front of the public eye.
He emphasized that women are prepared to deliver a stern message to the BJP in the elections. The Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana will bring about a significant change in women’s lives. They will receive Rs 18,000 annually, fostering self-reliance among women.
It’s worth noting that the 2024 Indian general election in Uttarakhand is scheduled for April 19, during the first phase, to elect the 5 members of the forthcoming 18th Lok Sabha. The election results will be announced on June 4.
The general election for 543 Lok Sabha seats will occur in seven phases, commencing on April 19, with counting scheduled for June 4.