In Punjab, Congress promises monthly payment of ₹2000 to housewives
The Hindu
AAP takes a dig at Punjab chief Sidhu
Days after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) folks in Punjab if voted to power, the ruling Congress party on Monday played its card to garner the support of women voters by promising to pay ₹2,000 per month to housewives, if the party assumed power in the State.
The announcement was made by Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu at a rally in Punjab’s Barnala district and the AAP was quick to take a dig at the Congress president and terming Mr. Sidhu “a person with no stand”.
At the rally, Mr. Sidhu said ₹2,000 per month will be provided to the womenfolks of Punjab who are housewives. “It is important that their (women) hard work be recognised. They will also be provided with home-based, kitchen-based business opportunities and interest free loans upto ₹2,00,000 (Rupees Two Lakh) to run them. Further, they will also be provided with 8 (eight) gas cylinders per year to keep their kitchen running under all circumstances,” he said. He added women empowerment is the center of the country’s narrative and it is important to help our women of Punjab to achieve their full potential by giving them visibility, representation and power. “Giving women freebies like AAP, will not empower them in this community,” he said, adding that “Unlike AAP, the Punjab Model under the aegis of Punjab Congress Committee intends to work towards cohesive growth and not isolated self-serving short term agendas.”