March 2025

PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL SECURITY

                                                              -Kanan Tomar

In Punjab, social security policies targeting women's welfare have predominantly centered around monetary assistance. These initiatives aim to address immediate financial needs and promote long-term socio-economic development.

Monetary Policies Implemented for Women in Punjab

Bebe Nanki Laadli Beti Kalyan Scheme

Launched in the financial year 2011-12, this scheme aims to curb female foeticide and promote girls' education. Under this initiative, the Punjab government deposits ₹20,000 per girl child with the Life Insurance Corporation (LIC). This amount matures to approximately ₹61,000 and is disbursed at various life stages, culminating at the age of 18. The eligibility criteria specify that the girl must be born after January 1, 2011, and her parents should be permanent residents of Punjab with an annual income below ₹30,000. Despite its noble intent, bureaucratic delays and limited public awareness have hindered its reach.

Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme

Named after the revered Sikh warrior Mai Bhago, this scheme, introduced in 2011-12, provides free bicycles to female students from classes 9 to 12 in government schools. The initiative aims to encourage higher enrollment and reduce dropout rates, especially in rural areas where transportation facilities are inadequate. A 2021 study by the Punjab Education Department found that school dropout rates among girls decreased by 18% in districts where the scheme was actively implemented.

Financial Assistance to Acid Attack Victims

In a bid to rehabilitate women who have suffered from acid attacks, the Punjab government introduced a financial assistance program in 2017. Eligible women—those who have sustained at least 40% disability due to acid attacks—receive ₹8,000 per month. This assistance is meant to cover medical expenses and provide financial independence. However, advocacy groups have raised concerns about the limited financial scope of this initiative, given the high cost of medical treatments and long-term psychological impact.

Concessional Bus Travel Facility

To support mobility for elderly women, Punjab provides a 50% concession on state-run bus fares to women aged 60 and above. This policy aims to improve their accessibility to healthcare, markets, and social engagements. While widely appreciated, critics argue that it does not account for the needs of younger working women, for whom affordable and safe transportation remains a major challenge.

Widow's Pension

The Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme provides financial assistance to widows aged 40 or older, with eligibility based on state-specific income thresholds. In Punjab, the pension amount stands at ₹1,000 per month, which is often deemed insufficient given the rising cost of living. Studies indicate that bureaucratic hurdles and lack of awareness prevent many eligible women from availing of this benefit.

Challenges in Accessing Social Security Benefits

Despite the implementation of these schemes, significant challenges persist. A substantial portion of Punjab’s female workforce is engaged in the informal sector, where access to government welfare schemes is limited. A 2020 survey found that while 77% of older men benefited from some form of social security, only 50% of older women did. Moreover, 53% of the elderly population reported difficulties in utilizing these schemes due to complicated application processes, while 79% believed that the financial support provided was inadequate to meet basic needs.

Public Perception and the Need for Non-Monetary Interventions

Awareness of Gender Discrimination

Public perception of gender discrimination varies across India. According to a 2021 Pew Research Center study, approximately 23% of Indians believe that women face significant discrimination. This perception is more pronounced in southern states such as Telangana (44%) and Tamil Nadu (39%), whereas northern states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh report significantly lower awareness levels (6%). This disparity highlights the need for more extensive gender sensitization programs in Punjab.

The Role of Safety and Societal Attitudes

Non-monetary aspects of social security, such as workplace safety and societal attitudes, play a critical role in ensuring women’s well-being. The tragic case of a female trainee doctor in Kolkata, who suffered severe harassment and ultimately took her own life, exemplifies the urgent need for safer work environments. Experts argue that improving women’s safety through enhanced transportation services, expanded CCTV surveillance, and revising restrictive employment laws is essential for boosting female workforce participation.

The Economic Impact of Women's Safety

Economists emphasize that increasing women’s workforce participation could significantly boost India’s GDP. The McKinsey Global Institute (2020) estimated that India could add $770 billion to its GDP by 2025 by advancing gender equality. However, factors such as unsafe public spaces, rigid workplace policies, and a lack of maternity benefits deter many women from seeking employment. Enhancing social security through both monetary and non-monetary measures is essential for unlocking this economic potential.

To conclude, while monetary policies provide essential support, addressing non-monetary factors such as safety, societal attitudes, and accessibility is vital for the holistic well-being of women in India.

Limitations of Social Security Policies for Women in Punjab

Despite the positive impact of various social security initiatives for women in Punjab, several limitations hinder their effectiveness. These challenges stem from administrative inefficiencies, lack of awareness, structural barriers, and inadequate financial assistance.

1. Limited Awareness and Accessibility

Many eligible beneficiaries remain unaware of the social security schemes available to them. A study by HelpAge India (2020) found that 47% of elderly women in Punjab had never heard of widow pensions or transport concessions. The lack of outreach efforts, especially in rural areas, prevents many women from availing themselves of these benefits.

Additionally, bureaucratic hurdles, such as complex documentation requirements and long processing times, discourage applicants. Women from marginalized communities often face difficulties in proving eligibility due to the absence of proper documentation, such as birth certificates or income proof.

2. Inadequate Financial Assistance

Most monetary schemes provide financial aid that is insufficient to cover basic needs. For instance:

●      The Bebe Nanki Laadli Beti Kalyan Scheme provides ₹61,000 upon maturity, but this amount does little to offset the rising costs of education, healthcare, and living expenses.

●      Widow’s pensions are set at ₹1,000 per month, which is inadequate to sustain a household, especially with inflation and rising living costs.

●      The ₹8,000 monthly financial aid for acid attack survivors is significantly lower than the expenses required for medical treatment, psychological counseling, and social reintegration.

3. Exclusion of Informal Sector Workers

A significant limitation of Punjab’s social security schemes is their focus on formal sector workers. The informal sector, where most women are employed, remains largely excluded. Domestic workers, agricultural laborers, and home-based workers often do not qualify for benefits such as pensions or health insurance due to the absence of formal employment records.

4. Gendered Barriers in Scheme Utilization

●      Even when schemes exist, gender norms often prevent women from benefiting fully. For example:

Some families do not register female children under the Bebe Nanki Ladli Beti Kalyan Scheme due to societal bias against daughters.

●      Concessional bus travel is available for elderly women, but inadequate transport infrastructure and safety concerns discourage women from traveling alone, especially in rural areas.

●      Many women depend on male family members to access their pension benefits, leading to instances where funds are misused by male relatives.

5. Regional and Caste-Based Disparities

Punjab’s social security programs do not account for disparities based on caste, region, and social background. Dalit and tribal women often face greater discrimination in accessing benefits, and rural areas have fewer support services compared to urban centers.

6. Implementation and Corruption Issues

Several social security schemes suffer from mismanagement and corruption. Reports indicate that:

●      Beneficiaries face delays in receiving financial aid due to red tape and inefficiencies.

●      Corrupt officials often demand bribes to process applications.

●      Funds allocated for social welfare programs sometimes do not reach the intended recipients due to leakage in the system

Lack of Non-Monetary Support

Punjab’s policies primarily focus on financial assistance, but there is a lack of strong non-monetary interventions that could significantly improve women's welfare. Key gaps include:

●      Workplace safety and legal protections: Women continue to face workplace harassment and unsafe working conditions. Policies addressing these issues remain weak or poorly enforced.

●      Mental health and rehabilitation services: Acid attack survivors and widows require psychological counseling, which is often unavailable.

●      Education and employment opportunities: Although schemes like the Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme promote girls’ education, there is limited support for vocational training and job placement for women entering the workforce.

Sources:

1.    Ministry of Women and Child Development. (2019). Report on the implementation of women's welfare schemes in Punjab. Government of India.

2.    Punjab School Education Board. (2021). Annual report on school enrollment and dropout rates in Punjab. Punjab Education Department.

3.    National Commission for Women. (2021). Study on the financial assistance scheme for acid attack survivors. Government of India.

4.    Transport Department, Punjab. (2022). Report on public transport concessions for women in Punjab. Government of Punjab.

5.    National Social Assistance Programme. (2020). Evaluation of pension schemes for widows in India. Government of India.

6.    HelpAge India. (2020). Aging and social security: A study of elderly women in Punjab. HelpAge India.

7.    Pew Research Center. (2021). Public perception of gender discrimination in India. Pew Research.

8.    Das, A., & Mukherjee, S. (2022). Workplace harassment and women's workforce participation in India. Economic and Political Weekly, 57(12), 24-30.

9.    McKinsey Global Institute. (2020). The economic benefits of gender equality in India. McKinsey & Company.