BJP MLA Critiques Himachal CM's Women Welfare Scheme as Insufficient

In a recent critique, BJP MLA Surender Shourie has slammed the Himachal Pradesh government's women welfare scheme, labeling it a superficial initiative aimed at low-population areas. Following Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's visit to Dehuri village, where he distributed funds to eligible women, Shourie raised concerns about the scheme's selective implementation and questioned the lack of transparency regarding beneficiary selection. He emphasized that while regions like Banjar deserve support, many women in more populous districts remain without assistance. This commentary highlights ongoing debates about governance and welfare distribution in the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 29, 2025, 13:07 IST

Concerns Raised Over Women Welfare Initiative

MANDI: Following a visit by Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to Dehuri village in the Kullu district's Banjar block, where he distributed Rs 4,500 as a three-month installment to 2,238 eligible women under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana, local BJP MLA Surender Shourie has criticized the Congress government's initiative, labeling it a 'farce'.

In an interview with a media outlet, Banjar MLA Shourie claimed that the much-publicized Rs 1,500 monthly welfare scheme for women was merely a 'showpiece' designed to distract from the government's failures in other areas. The total financial allocation for the event in Banjar amounted to Rs 1.71 crore.

Questioning the Scheme's Reach

Shourie expressed skepticism about the rationale behind implementing the scheme in a sparsely populated area like Banjar, questioning why women in other regions of Kullu or across Himachal Pradesh were not included. He remarked, 'Banjar is not a model district for Congress governance; it’s merely a safe zone for them to execute their schemes without facing scrutiny. Why are populous areas like Kangra, Shimla, Solan, and Mandi being overlooked, where countless women are still awaiting their Rs 1,500 monthly benefits?'

Concerns Over Selective Implementation

The MLA criticized the Rs 1,500 scheme as a superficial promise, stating, 'What we are witnessing now is a calculated drizzle of welfare, not a downpour. First Pangi, now Banjar—what's next? Another remote village for a ribbon-cutting ceremony?' He pointed out that while low-density regions like Banjar and Pangi deserve support, the selective nature of the rollout raises significant questions about fairness and intent.

Allegations of 'Optical Governance'

Shourie accused the Congress government of engaging in 'optical governance', suggesting that their focus is more on creating a favorable impression than on delivering real impact. 'With only 2,000 women receiving Rs 1,500 per month, should we celebrate this as a revolutionary change? They allocated Rs 1.71 crore for just 2,238 women after a two-year delay, while women in more populated districts, who supported this promise, continue to wait. Is this rollout or mere rationing?' he questioned.

Call for Transparency

'Where is the list of beneficiaries? Who compiled it? What criteria were used for eligibility verification? This is public money, not a personal donation. The government must clarify who is included and who is not, and the reasons behind these decisions,' Shourie demanded.

In response to CM Sukhu's claim that savings from anti-corruption measures were funding the scheme, Shourie remarked, 'It's absurd. You can't take over two years to implement a scheme promised from Day One. The reality is they are neither administratively nor financially prepared, so they are stalling with headlines.'