Paper: GS-II | Subject: Social Justice | Topic: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections | Issue: Women-Centred Welfare versus Electoral Freebies
Context
Recently, women-targeted transfers dominated five Assembly elections in 2026. Their mixed electoral impact renewed debate over whether such benefits create lasting empowerment or only temporary relief.
Explanation
Legal framework
- In S. Subramaniam Balaji v. State of Tamil Nadu (2013), the Supreme Court held manifesto promises were not corrupt practices.
- It directed the Election Commission to frame Model Code of Conduct guidelines requiring rationale and financing details.
- The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management framework demands fiscal prudence.
Benefits and initiatives
- Schemes like Ladli Behna and Gruha Lakshmi strengthen consumption security and intra-household bargaining.
- Shakti and Vidiyal Payanam improve mobility, education and employment access.
- The Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) trinity enables Direct Benefit Transfers, but account ownership may not ensure women’s control.
- Lakhpati Didi, women-owned housing and political reservation strengthen women’s agency.
Challenges
- The Periodic Labour Force Survey 2025 recorded women’s Labour Force Participation Rate at 40% under usual status; only 18.2% held regular salaried jobs.
- The Time Use Survey 2024 shows women’s unequal unpaid-care burden, creating time poverty.
- Feminisation of agriculture increases women’s farm work, but many lack wages, land titles and institutional credit.
- The Reserve Bank of India warns that subsidies may crowd out spending on infrastructure, health and education.
Way forward
- Apply Amartya Sen’s capability approach by combining income support with skills, credit, childcare, safe transport and decent jobs.
- Policy must distinguish merit goods, such as healthcare and education, from unsustainable non-merit giveaways.
- Outcome-based gender budgeting and social audits should measure agency, employment and control over resources.
Conclusion
Women-centred transfers provide protection, but become empowerment only when they expand choices. India needs support, fiscal prudence, universal services and capability building.
Source: (Business Standard)
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