Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday said if the Congress retains power in Chhattisgarh, women will be given an annual financial assistance of Rs 15,000 in the state.
The announcement, which comes ahead of the second phase of Chhattisgarh elections scheduled on November 17, is being seen as a counter to the opposition BJP's promise in its poll manifesto of giving Rs 12,000 per year to married women.
Today, on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, with the blessings of Maa Lakshmi ji and Chhattisgarh Mahtari, an important decision has been taken for women empowerment, Baghel told reporters in Raipur.
After the Congress government is formed again in Chhattisgarh, women in the state will be provided an annual assistance of Rs 15,000 directly into their bank accounts under the "Chhattisgarh Gruha Lakshmi Yojana', he said. Baghel also wished the people of the state on Diwali.
#WATCH | Raipur: Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel says, " On the occasion of Diwali, I want to announce that, if Congress forms govt again in Chhattisgarh, we will launch 'Chhattisgarh Griha Lakshmi Yojana' and will give Rs 15,000 per year to all mothers and sisters" https://t.co/1Ex1aslhmx pic.twitter.com/9XwHfq64ga
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2023
The first phase of polling in 20 out of the total 90 assembly seats in the state was held on November 7. The remaining 70 seats will see voted on November 17.
In its first phase of polling in 20 seats, Chhattisgarh recorded a voter turnout of 78%, 1.5% more than state's assembly elections in 2018, as per the Election Commission. The Bastar Assembly seat recorded the highest voter turnout—nearly 85%—while Bijapur had the lowest—48.37%.
Earlier, the Congress party unveiled its Chhattisgarh assembly election manifesto, promising various initiatives, including loan waivers for farmers and a caste census. The announcement came two days before the first phase of the state polls.
The manifesto, titled "Bharose ka Ghoshna Patra 2023-28," was introduced at six different locations in the state, including Raipur, Rajnandgaon, Jagdalpur, Bilaspur, Ambikapur and Kawardha.
—PTI and ANI contributed to this story
(Edited by : Ajay Vaishnav)
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