Welfare schemes for Muslim women could be increased to Rs 1,000 from existing Rs 500: TMC's Humayun Kabir

Trinamool Debra MLA and former IPS Humayun Kabir said in the state assembly on Friday that social welfare schemes like Lakshmir Bhandar for Muslim women could be increased to Rs 1,000 from existing Rs 500, which will benefit the women in the minority community. He also highlighted a report prepared by Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen’s Pratichi Trust.

The issue raised by Kabir has put the state government in a tight spot with the state government coming up with clarifications that they don’t give money for social schemes based on religious lines.

Asked about the issue raised in the House, Kabir said, “I have spoken about OBC women who can be given the benefit and payment can be made at par. There are no government surveys post-independence on Muslim women as rule does not allow surveys to be done on caste-religious lines.” Kabir had cited Pratichi NGOs survey about Muslim women.


“Mamata Banerjee is like Lakshmi Devi herself and offered the money under the scheme. It is a landmark decision and it should be continued. It has never happened post-Independence in the country. When we went to campaign, women folk told us that their financial condition is very poor but Didi is helping with Lakshmir bhandar,” Kabir told media persons.

“The Speaker told the MLA to submit the report where he read about the condition of women in minority communities,” state minister Sashi Panja observed.