New Delhi, March 13 : In anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, the Congress party unveiled five assurances for women on Wednesday. These include annual direct cash transfers of Rs 1 lakh to one woman from each of the country’s poorest families and a 50 per cent quota in all new recruitments for central government jobs.
In a statement on social media, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge introduced the “Nari Nyay” guarantee, marking a significant agenda for women’s welfare in the nation. Kharge highlighted previous commitments made by the Congress, including guarantees on participatory justice, farmer justice, and youth justice.
“Our promises are not hollow; they are deeply rooted in our ethos. Since 1926, while our adversaries were emerging, we have been crafting manifestos and fulfilling those pledges,” stated Kharge in his post on the microblogging platform.
Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi made these announcements during a “women’s conference” in Maharashtra’s Dhule.
Under the “Mahalakshmi” assurance, one woman from every economically disadvantaged family will receive an annual assistance of Rs 1 lakh through direct cash transfers. Additionally, the Congress pledges “Aadhi aabaadi, poora haq,” which ensures that 50 per cent of all new recruitments in central government jobs will be reserved for women.
Kharge further elaborated on the “Shakti ka Samman” guarantee, which promises to double the Centre’s contribution to the monthly pay of ASHA, anganwadi, and mid-day meal workers. The party also intends to appoint an “adhikaar maitri” in every panchayat under the “Adhikar Maitri” guarantee, aimed at educating women about their legal rights and assisting them in enforcement.
Moreover, the Congress-led Centre commits to doubling the number of hostels for working women in the country under the “Savitri Bai Phule Hostels” guarantee, ensuring at least one hostel in each district.
“All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Jairam Ramesh acknowledged the unveiling of the five guarantees for ‘Nari Nyay’ by Congress President Kharge, further emphasized by Rahul Gandhi at the Mahila Melawa Meeting in Dhule. Previously, guarantees for ‘Kisan Nyay,’ ‘Hissedari Nyay,’ and ‘Yuva Nyay’ were also announced,” Ramesh stated in a social media post.”
