The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Saturday promised to roll out a direct cash transfer scheme for women in Goa if voted to power in the State after the Assembly polls due in February next year.
Under the scheme titled Griha Laxmi, ₹5,000 would be transferred to a woman of every household per month as guaranteed income support to counter inflation once the party comes to power, TMC leader Mahua Moitra said.
The party would soon start distributing cards for the scheme, she said, adding that these cards carrying unique identification numbers would become operational once the TMC forms a government in Goa.
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The Mamata Banerjee-led party has announced that it would be contesting all 40 seats in State.
“The women from 3.5 lakh households in the State would be covered under the Griha Laxmi scheme as it will also do away with the maximum income ceiling, which is mandated in the current Griha Aadhar scheme of the BJP government in the State,” Ms. Moitra, who is TMC's Goa in-charge, said.
She said that the current scheme of the BJP government in Goa provides only ₹1,500 per month to women and it covers only 1.5 lakh households due to the income ceiling.
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“The actual implementation of Griha Aadhar scheme requires ₹270 crore annually, but the Goa government has earmarked only ₹140 crore annually because of which many people are not able to get the benefit,” the TMC parliamentarian said.
‘6 to 8% of budget’
The projected expenditure for the TMC’s scheme would be six to eight per cent of the total budget of Goa, she said.
“Latest studies have revealed that COVID-19 has shrunk the country’s economy, which needs to be revived,” Ms. Moitra added.
Earlier, the Aam Aadmi Party, which will also contest the Goa polls, has also promised that it would increase the remuneration provided to women in the coastal State under the State-sponsored scheme.