Four Key Cash Transfer Schemes For Women Across India

Various state governments have introduced targeted cash transfer schemes aimed at empowering women, addressing financial disparities, and promoting gender equality.These initiatives focus on enhancing the economic security, health, and overall well-being of women from different socio-economic backgrounds. 

Through direct financial support, these schemes are designed to provide women with the means to lead more independent and empowered lives while also ensuring their access to essential resources. Here’s a detailed look at four cash transfer programs currently benefiting women across India.

Launched by the Maharashtra Women and Child Development Department, this scheme aims to grant economic freedom to women between the ages of 21 and 65 years. Under this initiative, eligible women receive a direct benefit transfer of Rs 1,500 per month.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Women aged between 21 and 65 years

• Residents of Maharashtra

• Annual family income should not exceed Rs 2,50,000.

• The applicant must have an Aadhaar-linked bank account.

• Women who are married, widowed, divorced, abandoned, or unmarried can apply.

Exclusions:

• Families with annual income over Rs 2,50,000

• Regular government employees, pensioners, or income taxpayers

• Families owning a four-wheeler (excluding tractors)

The Jharkhand government launched the Maiya Samman Yojana to enhance the financial security of women in the state. Under this scheme, eligible women receive Rs 1,000 per month, directly deposited into their bank accounts by the 15th of each month.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Women aged between 21-49 years

• Permanent residents of Jharkhand

Exclusions:

• Women or their spouses employed in government sectors or receiving pensions

• Income taxpayers or those already benefiting from other state-run schemes

• EPF account holders

West Bengal's flagship Lakshmir Bhandar Scheme, launched in February 2021, focuses on financially supporting women from economically weaker sections. Women between the ages of 25-60 years who are enrolled in the ‘Swasthya Sathi’ scheme receive Rs 1,200 per month if they belong to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST) households and Rs 1,000 per month for others.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Women aged between 25-60 years

• Residents of West Bengal

• Enrolled under the Swasthya Sathi scheme

• Not employed as permanent government employees or pensioners

Exclusions:

• Government employees or pensioners from Central/State Government, statutory bodies, or local authorities

Launched on January 28, 2023, this scheme provides Rs 1,000 per month to eligible women in Madhya Pradesh, aiming to support women’s economic independence. Women under 60 who receive less than Rs 1,000 per month from any other social security pension scheme are reimbursed up to Rs 1,000.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Women aged between 23 and 60 years

• Residents of Madhya Pradesh

• Women must be married, widowed, divorced, or abandoned.

Exclusions:

• Women whose family income exceeds Rs 2,50,000 per year

• Families where a member is an income taxpayer or a permanent government employee

These cash transfer schemes are designed to provide direct financial assistance to women, helping them improve their socio-economic conditions.