Political Silence, Social Impact: The JMMSY and Its Ripples Across Jharkhand
Hemant Soren’s initiative, Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojna targets 50 lakh beneficiaries, marking a cornerstone of his administration’s efforts. Economists and activists discuss its potential to combat tribal girl migration and child malnutrition amid ongoing political challenges
Ranchi/Kolkata: In 2019, during the elections for its fifth term, the Hemant Soren-led coalition (now INDIA bloc) secured a full majority in the Jharkhand Assembly. However, despite having more than the required numbers, Chief Minister Hemant Soren alleged that they were not allowed to work in the state by the opposition, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. During his five-year term, Hemant Soren was also sent to jail. After a five-month gap, he is again at the helm of the state’s affairs. Despite all the ‘disturbance,’ one constant for Soren was his work in the INDIA bloc government in the state. The latest initiative is the Jharkhand Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojna (JMMSY).
Under this cash transfer scheme, women aged between 21 and 50 will receive Rs 1,000 every month (Rs 12,000 annually). By August 15 (the last date), 43 lakh women had applied, and 42,85,403 were approved, making it one of the largest schemes in the state. The target is 50 lakh beneficiaries.
There is no other scheme in the state with as many beneficiaries.
Silence is Golden
Significantly, it is not only the government but also the opposition that understands the importance of this scheme. The 43 lakh beneficiaries enrolled within just 18 days, and starting from Raksha Bandhan, they began receiving the amount through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). On August 18 (Sunday), a day before the Jharkhand Chief Minister was scheduled to officially launch the scheme from Pakur, rumors circulated that former CM Champai Soren had left for Delhi and would soon leave the party to join the BJP. In the evening, Champai Soren released a letter claiming he was humiliated when he resigned from the post of CM on July 3.
However, it has been more than four days, but neither Hemant Soren nor any other JMM or INDIA bloc leaders have commented on Champai Soren’s letter. Champai Soren did not join the BJP and returned to Jharkhand. As the ‘cabinet minister,’ he announced the formation of a new party, but there has been complete silence in the JMM camp. The only message from the ruling dispensation to the opposition, as well as the new critic of Hemant Soren, Champai Soren, is JMMSY.
On Tuesday, Hemant Soren claimed in Palamu that had he not been sent to jail, the scheme would have started five months earlier, allowing Jharkhand’s women to benefit sooner. This statement is also being seen as a response to the claim that JMMSY was the brainchild of former CM Champai Soren.
What Activists and Economists Say about JMMSY
James Herenj, a Right to Food activist in Jharkhand, welcomes the initiative of cash transfers to women. “Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are the two states from where tribal girls are most trafficked or migrate to other states. Cash in hand will reduce this. It will also help pregnant women to have better food during pregnancy, which will help reduce the number of malnourished babies being born. Beneficiary women can also spend money on their children’s education. Most importantly, when money is in the hands of women, they may face less domestic violence as it changes men’s outlook towards women,” the activist told eNewsroom.
Herenj also cited reasons for his positive outlook on the scheme: “There is a scheme in Jharkhand under which tribals get Rs 1,000 as a pension, and we have noticed a similar impact among tribal families.”
The activist also reminded Rahul Gandhi about the cash transfer scheme: “It is good that the Hemant Soren-led INDIA bloc government has started this scheme in Jharkhand. During the Lok Sabha campaign, we had told Rahul Gandhi-led Congress, which had promised to benefit one lakh female members of the family, that it should consider JMMSY as a pilot project and implement it in Congress-ruled states too. The amount may be less, but it should be initiated as it will surely empower women.”
On Thursday, Hemant Soren also promised in Palamu that in next five years, every family will get Rs one lakh.
Economist Jean Drèze, who has made Jharkhand his workplace, is well aware of the scheme and its progress. He appreciates it, but with caution. He told eNewsroom, “These cash schemes are certainly useful, but they are very expensive and need to be balanced against other priorities such as teacher appointments and health expenditures. A gradual rollout would have been best, but the government seems to be in a hurry, possibly due to the coming elections.”
