BY: GATI KOCHAR

Ambitious welfare programs and promises have long been central to the functioning of the Indian governments at both central and state levels. Over the past decade, a drastic change has been observed in terms of how the welfare benefits are delivered to the citizens. The shift from a ‘welfare state’ to a government driven by ‘welfare politics’ is a significant transformation witnessed by India. State capacity coupled with technological advancements has facilitated the central and the state governments to transfer benefits directly to the voters, thereby dissolving the role of middlemen.

Madhya Pradesh has been playing a pivotal role in national politics, serving as a battleground for major political parties (BJP and Congress). The state has been under the dominance of BJP, witnessing Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan serving as the Chief Minister for almost 13 years, until Mr. Mohan Yadav swore in during the recent state elections. Over the years that were governed by Chouhan, he became popular as ‘Mama’, for the young population, and tried to live up to them through that name. Eventually, with the ‘Ladli Behna’ scheme he also turned ‘Bhaiya’ for all the women in the state. “I don’t run a government, I run a family”, was what he would say in the 2023 poll rallies.

The BJP government has been following the concept of ‘Swayampoorn Parivar’ in Madhya Pradesh, which is a full circle in terms of welfare schemes. This initiative is aimed at supporting families living below the poverty line by ensuring access to essential services and resources. For instance, a family in need of housing can benefit from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Employment opportunities will be provided through the MNREGA scheme. Food security will be ensured via the Public Distribution System (PDS) and Mid-Day Meal scheme. Healthcare needs will be covered under Ayushman Bharat, while education support will come from the Seekho Kamao Yojana (SKY) scheme. Additionally, access to clean cooking fuel will be facilitated through the Ujjwala Yojana, ensuring a comprehensive safety net for vulnerable families. Above all this, the government has also been providing Direct Benefit Transfers (Cash Transfers).  Mr. Chouhan, having served the longest tenure as the Chief Minister, was able to emerge victorious due to the influence these schemes had on the people. 

Wooing women voters makes electoral sense. They constitute almost 48% of the state’s population. Thus, the government aimed to target them through these welfare schemes. Not only did they introduced Ladli Behna Scheme, but also transferred Rs. 250 into the bank accounts of women on the day of Raksha Bandhan. It eventually also announced that the gas cylinders would be provided to the beneficiaries for Rs.450 only during the Shravana months (July-August). These measures definitely have attracted a lot of women voters to vote for BJP.

The Ladli Behna Scheme was launched on January 28, 2023, six months prior to the Assembly elections. The scheme provides monthly financial aid to the women in families with annual income less than 2.5 lakhs per annum, by transferring Rs. 1000 in their bank accounts during the first three months of the scheme, until the amount got increased to Rs.1250. According to research conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI), the beneficiaries of the Ladli Behna Scheme increased their spending by Rs. 9300 (approx.) as compared to the non-beneficiaries.

Political parties in India have constantly been competing to offer freebies to the people. The populist promises that helped the Congress win Madhya Pradesh in 2018, Himachal Pradesh in 2022 and Karnataka in 2023 has forced BJP to rethink its strategy. For instance, Kamal Nath, state Congress chief and the party’s Chief Minister candidate had announced 11 poll promises including a monthly allowance of Rs.1500 for women, LPG cylinders for Rs.500 each, resumption of farm loan waivers and many more. (The Week)

However, the Prime Minister has often made a remark on the opposition parties that they are trying to ‘buy the people’ by distributing freebies. Mr. Modi refers to this as ‘revdi culture’ – metaphorically referring this to waggish distribution of sweets. Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, A BJP leader, even went to the Supreme Court in order to seek action against political parties for free distribution of resources from public funds. There seems to be a hypocrisy in the ideological front of the party. Claims have also been made that at the state level, the prime minister’s advice has been overlooked in this regard.

As much as these schemes benefit the people and bring votes for the party, they do not really solve the core problems – price rise, unemployment and the fatigue of incumbency. Schemes like Laadli Behna are only limited to providing certain financial benefits, and do not compensate for the problems plaguing the state.

“We cannot be bribed with a small compensation. The Rs 1250 from the Laadli scheme comes and goes in a flash. Our lives have not changed. In the last ten years, my husband’s earnings have increased by Rs 3000 but the cost of groceries, cylinder and electricity have all soared in this period,” says Kalavathi Rana, a homemaker in Mhow. (The News Minute)

When the cost of living itself is skyrocketing, the government must ideally focus on reducing the burden on people. Such schemes being introduced a couple of months prior to elections raises eyebrows. As electoral cycles continue to shape the nature of these welfare initiatives, the question remains whether they are truly addressing the problems at the grassroot level or simply serving as tactical tools to gain voter loyalty.