Haryana's ₹2,100 Monthly Scheme Only for Poor Women

The Haryana BJP government has announced that its flagship Lado Lakshmi Yojana will not benefit all women in the state as originally promised during the assembly election campaign. Instead, the monthly payment of ₹2,100 will be limited to economically disadvantaged women only. This decision has disappointed many in the state.

The scheme, which was the first commitment in BJP's election manifesto, has now been narrowed to target only those women whose families earn less than ₹1.80 lakh annually. This change affects approximately 25 lakh women who were expecting to receive the benefit based on the original campaign promise. 

Budget Constraints Lead to Scaled-Back Implementation

According to senior government officials, the decision to limit the scheme came down to financial considerations. If implemented for all women between 18 and 60 years, the program would require a massive budget of approximately ₹18,900 crore annually. By restricting benefits to economically weaker sections, the government has reduced the financial burden to between ₹10,000-12,000 crore per year. The state plans to make this budgetary provision in the upcoming budget session in March. 

"The government is finalizing preparations to implement the Lado Lakshmi Yojana. We have expedited the process, and benefits will likely begin flowing to eligible women starting April," a senior finance department official explained.

Eligibility Criteria and Documentation Requirements 

Women between 18 and 60 years of age from economically weaker backgrounds will be eligible for the monthly payment. The upper age limit was set at 60 years because women above this age already receive old-age pensions. 

To qualify, beneficiaries must provide several documents including:

• Proof of identity 
• Birth certificate 
• Income certificate showing annual family income below ₹1.80 lakh 
• Other supporting documentation 

The state has approximately 50 lakh women in BPL (Below Poverty Line) families out of the total female population of over 95 lakh in the eligible age group. 

Government Defends Decision as Pro-Poor Policy

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has been actively promoting the scheme during municipal election campaigns, emphasizing that the government is fully prepared to implement it after the budget session.

Praveen Attrey, the Chief Minister's Media Secretary, defended the decision to limit the scheme, saying, "Government schemes are always meant for the poor. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has repeatedly stated that the nation's resources should first benefit the poor. That's why this scheme will benefit poor women only."

The government is also considering cutting expenditure on other programs to fund this flagship scheme, highlighting its importance in the administration's welfare agenda.

This decision is compared to Punjab where AAP government has also promised ₹1,000 monthly to all women during elections but hasn't implemented the scheme even after three years in power. Chief Minister Saini has instructed officials to ensure smooth implementation once the budget provisions are finalized, promising that the government remains committed to fulfilling its welfare pledges despite the modifications.