Tejashwi Yadav promises ₹1,500 monthly social security for seniors, widows, and disabled if voted to power in Bihar

Tejashwi Yadav, the leader of opposition in Bihar and former deputy chief minister, has made a significant promise ahead of the 2024 Bihar Assembly elections. Yadav announced that, if the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) comes to power, the monthly financial aid provided to senior citizens, widows, and people with disabilities under the state’s social security schemes would be increased from ₹400 to ₹1,500. This increase is aimed at individuals over 60 years of age, as well as widows and people with disabilities, as part of the existing welfare programs in Bihar.

Yadav’s proposal is designed to directly benefit the vulnerable sections of society who rely on the social security assistance. He specifically referred to the current ₹400 allowance as insufficient and promised to raise it in order to provide more substantial support to those in need. This change, if implemented, would represent a significant increase in the financial assistance offered to these groups under the social welfare schemes in place in Bihar.

This promise is part of a series of welfare-oriented initiatives Yadav has announced ahead of the 2024 elections. A week before this announcement, Yadav had pledged to provide 200 units of free electricity per month to all residents in Bihar, citing issues with high electricity tariffs and faulty billing systems, particularly related to the installation of pre-paid meters. The free electricity promise aims to address the concerns of residents facing high energy costs, which have been a source of significant discontent.

Additionally, Tejashwi Yadav has repeatedly mentioned large-scale government recruitment during his tenure as deputy chief minister. He has linked this past achievement to his ongoing promises, claiming that the RJD is committed to creating 10 lakh jobs, a promise that was initially made in the lead-up to the 2020 Bihar Assembly elections. The recruitment drive during his time in office was focused on filling positions in various government departments in the state, and he has used this as evidence of the RJD's focus on employment generation.

As Bihar prepares for the upcoming elections, which are expected to take place in October-November 2024, the state’s political discourse is centered on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and the effectiveness of welfare schemes. The RJD’s promises, particularly in terms of social security payments and utility relief, are aimed at addressing these issues for the state’s marginalized populations. With Bihar's voter base relying heavily on welfare programs, these proposals could play a key role in influencing the electorate's decision.