What New Promises Did Tejashwi Yadav Make Before Bihar Elections?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Direct financial support for women through the ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’.
- Restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for government employees.
- Permanent employment for Jeevika Didis and community mobilizers.
- Loan interest waivers for women self-help groups.
- Job postings within 70 km of home districts for employees.
Patna, Nov 4 (NationPress) The electoral landscape in Bihar is heating up, with the campaigning for the initial phase of voting concluding at 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Just before the silence period begins, the Chief Ministerial candidate from the Mahagathbandhan, Tejashwi Yadav, held a press conference in Patna on Tuesday, where he unveiled a series of significant commitments.
Tejashwi Yadav announced that should the Grand Alliance take charge, women will receive the full Rs 30,000 annual aid through the ‘Mai Bahin Maan Yojana’ in a single payment (Rs 2,500 monthly), which will be directly deposited into their bank accounts on January 14—coinciding with Makar Sankranti.
This initiative is designed to provide direct financial assistance to women.
Additionally, he stated that Jeevika Didis (members of women’s self-help groups) and community mobilizers will be appointed as permanent staff and offered a monthly honorarium.
Interest on loans for these groups will be completely waived, and each Jeevika Didi will receive an insurance coverage of Rs 5 lakh, he added.
Tejashwi further promised that if his administration comes into power, the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) will be reinstated, benefiting teachers, health workers, and police personnel.
Addressing the long-standing concerns of employees, he assured that postings would be guaranteed within a 70 km radius of a worker’s home district.
He referenced the plight of nurses and government staff who are often stationed hundreds of kilometers away, causing financial and familial challenges.
The OPS provides guaranteed post-retirement pension benefits to government employees.
Tejashwi Yadav has outlined numerous pledges in his election manifesto titled “Tejashwi’s Pledge”, including government jobs for one member of every family, 200 units of complimentary electricity, free irrigation electricity for farmers, and the permanent status of Jeevika Didis and contractual employees.
The campaigning for the first electoral phase, covering 121 seats across 18 districts, concludes at 5 p.m. Voting is scheduled for November 6, with the results expected on November 14.