Title: Congress Unveils Pro-Women Initiatives in Election Manifesto

In anticipation of the upcoming Lok Sabha election, the Congress party has released its manifesto, outlining key proposals aimed at addressing women’s issues and promoting gender equality. Here’s a breakdown of their promises:

1. Financial Assistance: The Congress proposes the Mahalakshmi scheme, which entails providing an annual sum of ₹1 lakh to economically disadvantaged families. This monetary support will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of the eldest woman in each household.
2. Enhanced Representation: With a focus on increasing women’s participation in politics, the Congress pledges to reserve 50% of central government jobs for women, commencing in 2025. Additionally, they aim to elevate more women to leadership positions across various sectors, fostering greater gender diversity in decision-making roles.
3. Equal Pay: Recognizing the wage disparities faced by women, the Congress promises to enforce the principle of ‘Same Work, Same Wages’, ensuring that women receive fair compensation for their contributions. Furthermore, they commit to doubling the Central government’s contribution to frontline health workers’ salaries.
4. Supportive Infrastructure: In collaboration with state governments, Congress plans to expand support infrastructure for working women by doubling the number of women’s hostels nationwide. This initiative aims to provide safe and affordable accommodation for women pursuing education and employment opportunities away from their homes.

As the Lok Sabha election draws near, the Congress’s manifesto underscores its dedication to addressing women’s concerns and advancing their socio-economic empowerment. These initiatives reflect the party’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, where women have equal opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Q: What is the Mahalakshmi scheme proposed by Congress?

A: The Mahalakshmi scheme is a proposal by the Congress party to provide an annual cash transfer of ₹1 lakh to impoverished families in India. This financial assistance will be directly deposited into the bank accounts of the eldest woman in each household.

Q: How does Congress plan to increase women’s representation in government?

A: Congress aims to increase women’s representation in government by implementing reservations. They plan to reserve 50% of central government jobs for women starting in 2025. Additionally, they propose to introduce one-third reservation for women in state assemblies by 2025 and extend this reservation to the Lok Sabha by 2029.

Q: What measures does Congress promise to address wage disparities faced by women?

A: Congress pledges to enforce the principle of ‘Same Work, Same Wages’ to ensure that women receive fair compensation for their work. Additionally, they commit to doubling the Central government’s contribution to frontline health workers’ salaries.

Q: How does Congress plan to support working women?

A: Congress plans to support working women by doubling the number of women’s hostels across the country. They aim to establish at least one hostel in each district, providing safe and affordable accommodation for women pursuing education and employment opportunities away from their homes.