Daijiworld Media Network - Patna

Patna, Nov 4: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Tuesday announced a major pre-poll promise, declaring that his party would provide Rs 30,000 annual financial assistance to women under the ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’ if voted to power in Bihar.

The announcement, coming just two days before the first phase of assembly elections, is seen as a direct counter to the ruling NDA’s ‘Mukhyamantri Mahila Rojgar Yojana’, under which Rs 10,000 has already been credited to the accounts of over one crore women to help them start small businesses.

Addressing reporters in Patna, Yadav, who is also the opposition Grand Alliance’s chief ministerial candidate, said the amount will be disbursed on Makar Sankranti (January 14) next year.

“All the mothers and sisters of Bihar are excited about the ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’. This scheme will ensure them economic justice,” Yadav said.

According to the RJD’s manifesto released last week, women will receive Rs 2,500 per month starting December 1, translating to Rs 30,000 annually for the next five years. However, Yadav clarified that the entire yearly amount will now be transferred in one installment on January 14 “as demanded by the women of Bihar.”

Besides the women-centric scheme, Yadav also announced additional bonuses for farmers — Rs 300 per quintal for paddy and Rs 400 per quintal for wheat over the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

He further pledged that government employees such as teachers, police, and healthcare workers would be posted within 70 km of their home districts and reaffirmed his commitment to restoring the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).

Bihar will vote in two phases on November 6 and 11, with counting scheduled for November 14.