Bihar Cash Transfer Under Fire: ‘Politically Motivated,’ Says Jan Suraaj

The Jan Suraaj party has publicly questioned the Bihar government’s decision to disburse cash directly to women, alleging it’s a calculated political maneuver ahead of elections. Pavan Verma, a key spokesperson, framed the initiative within the context of ‘revadi’ politics, a term previously used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to critique populist welfare schemes. Verma expressed grave concerns about Bihar’s mounting public debt, currently estimated at Rs 4,06,000 crore, with daily interest costs reaching Rs 63 crore, underscoring the state’s fragile fiscal health. He revealed information suggesting that Rs 14,000 crore was allegedly withdrawn from World Bank funds, originally allocated for other purposes, mere hours before the election code of conduct came into effect. This sum, according to Verma, was then distributed to 1.25 crore women at a rate of Rs 10,000 each. He challenged the ethical basis of such a distribution, particularly when occurring under the shadow of impending elections. Verma broadened the scope of his criticism, suggesting this trend could impact elections in other states, including those ruled by the BJP. He also reflected on Jan Suraaj’s own electoral performance, admitting to strategic missteps and perhaps overly optimistic expectations for a new political entity, while reaffirming the strength of their core message.