Want employment, not freebies: Punjab women

PK Jaiswar

Amritsar, February 17

Women in Punjab make up around 45 per cent of the electorate and all political parties have promised monetary benefits to them, besides other facilities, only to lure them.

Nevertheless, women folk say there is a need to strengthen them economically rather than making them dependent on freebies. They said freebies announced by political outfits for votes are crippling them and their desire to progress in life.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was the first to announce Rs1,000 per month monetary benefit to women above 18 years of age. Soon after, the Congress announced Rs2,000 benefits, besides eight LPG cylinders. SAD-BSP, in its manifesto, announced Rs2,000 per month for women belonging to economically weaker section or having bluecard. It also announced to increase the amount under the Shagun scheme to Rs75,000.

Indu Arora, a member of local NGO, Voice of Amritsar, said freebies were not the right announcement, as it would adversely affect the financial health of the state. “Instead, they should provide employment so that they do not depend on the government and become self-reliant. This is how a state progresses,” she said.

Kuldeep Kaur, a homemaker, said announcing freebies or monetary aid to women does not change anything at the ground until and unless we provide them quality education and employment opportunities. Making them independent by offering good jobs would not only help in increasing their self-confidence, but ensuring progress of the state in every field.

Khushi, a domestic help, said political parties make announcements only for appeasements. After poll, no one bothers about their situation in society. They are still considered a commodity. “A common man could not imagine in what circumstances women in economically weaker section of society survive,” she said.

Daswinder Kaur of All-India Domestic Workers’ Federation, said these poll announcements were only to woo women voters, though at ground level, it would bring no change.

“We have to make women economically stronger by providing jobs as per their ability. We are visiting different areas, including slums, where women said they needed work for survival. These freebies are minuscule if you see the current inflation rate,” she said. She said it was a need to bring industries for employment generation.