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In a country where women are yet to climb out of the struggle to survive and earn a fixed income and means of livelihood, the possibility of spotting ₹7,000 a month under a government-provided program does seem remote. Programs such as the LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana have recently been controversial, with the potential to empower women — and especially rural and semi-urban women — with economic independence.
But how much of a promise does such a scheme really constitute for actual, sustainable empowerment? Let us examine the possibility, the benefit, and the drawback of such a scheme.
What Is the Scheme About?
The ₹7,000 monthly salary is a part of a more elaborate scheme of creating employment for women by recruiting them as LIC agents under the “Bima Sakhi” scheme. A very brief overview of how the scheme works is provided below:
Eligibility: Women applicants aged 18-70 years, passed 10th standard, and not closely related to LIC officials.
Role: Trained and designated as LIC “Bima Sakhi” agents for sale and promotion of insurance in their locality.
Stipend:
₹7,000 per month during the first year
₹6,000 during the second year
₹5,000 during the third year
Other Income: Apart from stipend, agents are paid commission on sale and renewal of policies.
The program will enable women to take the first step, further progressing from there to independence through the mechanism of commissioning.
Probable Benefits
Supplemental Source of Income for Unemployed or Underemployed
To unemployed or underemployed women, especially rural women, ₹7,000 a month can be a blessing. It can be used for essentials such as food, school fees, and medicine — giving a certain level of insulation against uncertainty.
Increased Self-Respect and Autonomy
Being part of the workforce, one acquires more than wages. One acquires self-esteem, decision-making, and socialization — all the foundation of empowerment.
Financial Literacy Gains
Through experience with LIC, women have gained first-hand familiarity with government instruments, saving, and insurance — and can also extend it to others in their own community.
Community Impact
As women earn and spend in the neighborhood, economic gains also stand to flow within communities and families, empowering others and stimulating greater participation.
Constraints and Challenges
Is ₹7,000 Sufficient?
Given persistent inflationary cycles, ₹7,000 often ends up being too low to cover the expenses of a family over a month — especially in city boundaries. In one-worker families, it is not enough to promote real economic independence.
Fading Support Over Time
The stipend reduces in the second year and eventually phases out, depending on revenues from commissions. Women will experience irregular income if they are not able to sell sufficient policies.
Pressure for Performance
There are some levels of performance that the members must have, like keeping policies in effect and a certain level of “in-force” rate. These levels of performance are difficult for women who have home responsibilities or women who do not have automobile access and Internet use.
High Infrastructure Requirement
Unless they have ongoing support, training, and assistance, most women will not make it in a sales-oriented career. Access facilities, follow-up mechanisms, and community support are the formula for long-term success.
Danger of Exclusion
By way of paperwork, illiteracy, or technical exclusion, the majority of deserving women can be excluded from the scheme — especially in disadvantaged or rural areas.
Conclusion: The ₹7,000 a month scheme for women is no silver bullet, but it’s a sincere beginning. It provides access to women who would otherwise remain out of it, and delivers economic as well as personal empowerment.
If rolled out cautiously, in a graded manner, and complemented with more infrastructure — this program can be a real catalyst to women’s economic independence.
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