States across the nation are initiating programs to attract women voters, recognising their crucial role as active participants in the democratic process. Political parties are making concerted efforts to engage with women, acknowledging their potential to surpass men in voter turnout on various occasions.

Here is a list of states which have women centric cash schemes:

Tamil Nadu: On September 15, the DMK-led government introduced the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Scheme with the objective of granting a monthly financial grant of Rs 1,000 to 1.06 crore eligible women heads of families. This initiative comes as a response to the significant presence of women voters in the state, surpassing the number of male voters, according to the final electoral roll released in January 2023. The roll indicated a notable count of 3,15,43,286 female voters in comparison to 3,04,89,866 male voters in the state.

Karnataka: The state introduced the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, aiming to facilitate an unconditional cash transfer program that would deposit Rs 2,000 monthly into the bank accounts of women heading households. Recent electoral data indicates a notable demographic shift, with women voters surpassing men in 50 percent of the constituencies across the state. Karnataka, which went to polls on May 10, saw 2.64 crore female voters vs 2.67 crore male voters.

Madhya Pradesh: Ahead of the state polls, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched Ladli Behna scheme wherein nearly 12 million women will receive Rs 1,000 every month. Chouhan said the amount will be increased to Rs 3,000 per month gradually.

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As per the Election Commission data, women constitute 47.8 percent of the total population in the state, while men comprise 52.1 percent of the total state population, with the remainder identifying as others.

West Bengal: Under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, women in the age group of 25-60 years from general caste families receive Rs 500 per month. Women from the SC and ST families receive Rs 1,000 per month. Women voters form 49.1 percent of the state's electorate, the electoral data said. The gender ratio of voters in Bengal is 967 female per 1,000 male.

(Edited by : Akanksha Upadhyay)

First Published:Sept 15, 2023 2:29 PM IST