Lakshmir Bhandar, TMC’s signature scheme for Lok Sabha poll, a hit at Martyrs’ Day event
Times of India | 22 July 2024
Kolkata: Bengal’s signature scheme Lakshmir Bhandar, which helped propel the Trinamool’s spectacular show in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, was a big hit on Sunday on the first post-poll Martyrs’ Day rally.
Festoons, posters, caps and earthen piggy banks with Lakshmir Bhandar written on them were sold for Rs 5 a piece. Lakshmir Bhandar models were also a hit with women party supporters.
The scheme, introduced in 2021, provides cash assistance to women. It was initially Rs 500 for those from the general category and Rs 1,000 for those from SC/ST families per month, but the amount was increased to Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200, respectively, weeks before the Lok Sabha elections were announced. This flagship scheme has over 2.1 crore direct beneficiaries in Bengal.
The scheme has also been replicated in multiple states.
Pratichi Trust — set up by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen — which recently carried out a survey across the state found that 85.6% of women surveyed felt that the cash incentive had empowered them and encouraged and enabled them to get more involved in domestic decision-making.
Clad in a green-orange sari and a turban with a photo of CM Mamata Banerjee, Lakshmikanta from Ghatal held on to a Lakshmir Bhandar piggy bank on one hand and a poster mentioning the amount on the other. He said, “I took this responsibility on my own to inform women of my locality about the scheme and many of them are enjoying their freedom while some have started small businesses, too. I came here in this attire only to salute the CM’s efforts that need to be cherished by every citizen of Bengal.”
Sikha Badyokar from Durgapur said, “Didi did a lot for us by providing financial protection. We came with a placard that we displayed during her speech but don’t know if she could see it. We came to Kolkata only to see her on stage and listen to her words that inspire us.”
Nepal Das, who came with various caps, including one inspired by the scheme, said: “I spent 3 months to make these caps, which were sold for around Rs 700. Party workers bought the caps and all have been sold out.” Sociologist Prasanta Roy said, “The scheme had impact on women, especially those from economically weaker sections. It helped them gain their self-respect and confidence that reflected on recent poll results, too.”