“Women comprise half of the population of India. Sadly, they have received nothing in the past ten years. The Modi government has only increased their problems,” said the Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, in a video conference before unveiling a set of guarantees under its “Nari Nyay Guarantee” ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The opposition party revealed guarantees including an annual financial aid of Rs 1 lakh to a female member of a poor family, one working woman hostel in all district headquarters across India, and a 50 percent quota in government jobs, among others.
The Five ‘Nari Nyay Guarantees’ Of Congress
- Mahalaxmi Guarantee – Under this initiative, one woman from the poorest families in India will receive financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh annually.
- Aadhi Abadi-Pura Haq (Half the Population-Full Rights) – The Congress promises to reserve 50 percent of all new appointments to central government positions for women to ensure equal opportunities in the workforce.
- Shakti ka Samman (Respect For Power) – The central government’s contribution to the monthly pay of ASHA, Anganwadi, and mid-day meal workers will be doubled.
- Adhikar Maitri (Right Friendship) – To empower women with knowledge of their legal rights and provide assistance in exercising them, the Congress plans to appoint para-legal/legal assistants, known as “Adhikar Maitri,” in every panchayat across the country, serving as advocates for women”s rights at the grassroots level.
- Savitribai Phule Hostels Scheme – The Congress guarantees to double the number of working women”s hostels in the country, with at least one hostel to be established in each district, providing safe and affordable accommodation for women.
Sitting in New Delhi, Kharge made the announcement through a video conference during Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Dhule, Maharashtra. The event, attended by a gathering of women at a Mahila Melawa, saw Gandhi elaborating on the party”s commitments to address the challenges faced by women, which, according to Kharge, “the Modi government has failed” to address.
कांग्रेस पार्टी आज “नारी न्याय” गारंटी की घोषणा करती है, इसके तहत कांग्रेस पार्टी महिलाओं के लिए देश में एक नया एजेंडा सेट करने जा रही है।
नारी न्याय गारंटी के अन्तर्गत कांग्रेस पार्टी 5 घोषणाएँ कर रही है, उसमें,
1️⃣ महालक्ष्मी गारंटी
इसके तहत सभी गरीब परिवार की एक महिला को… pic.twitter.com/eVAVFZGMDj
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) March 13, 2024
The President of the Congress Party emphasised that these promises are not empty and that the party stands by them. He also highlighted the Congress”s record of fulfilling its promises dating back to 1926, “When our opponents were not even born, we have been making manifestoes and fulfilling those declarations.”
नारी शक्ति को मेरा प्रणाम!
कांग्रेस आपको 5 ऐसी गारंटियां दे रही है जिनसे देश में महिलाओं का जीवन हमेशा के लिए बदल जाएगा।
• महालक्ष्मी: सबसे गरीब परिवारों की एक महिला को हर वर्ष 1 लाख रुपए की गारंटी।
• आधी आबादी, पूरा हक़: केंद्र सरकार में सभी नई भर्तियों का आधा हिस्सा… pic.twitter.com/fmGDfxUFV0
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 13, 2024
Previously, the party had announced five guarantees for the youth population as well which included guaranteed apprenticeship with a stipend of Rs 1 lakh per year for every graduate and diploma holder, better working conditions, social security and pensions for GIG economy workers, promise of making a law to prevent paper leaks, giving youth entrepreneurs start-up funds at the district level from the national fund of Rs 5000 crore and immediate permanent appointment to 30 lakh government posts.