‘Cong’s financial aid promise a big hoax’

Patna: Days after the Bihar Congress promised a monthly assistance of Rs 2,500 to every needy woman should the Grand Alliance form the next state govt, the JD(U) on Friday dismissed the announcement as a "big hoax."At a press conference, JD(U) spokesperson Neeraj Kumar criticised the Congress for making unsubstantiated claims. "The Congress says it is giving Rs 2,000 to every poor person in Karnataka, but the truth is that payments have not been made for the past six months," Kumar alleged. He accused Congress-ruled states of diverting funds intended for SC/ST communities.Dismissing the Congress' claim of providing monthly aid to 1.1 crore women under Karnataka's Griha Lakshmi Yojana, Kumar said, "There is no bigger ‘announcement fraud' than this. They promised financial support to all women during the campaign but later imposed a condition that only women who are heads of their families would be eligible."Citing the 2011 census, Kumar pointed out that only 19.65 lakh women were recorded as heads of households. "Then how do Congress leaders justify their claim of reaching 1.1 crore women?" he questioned.In contrast, he said, the Bihar govt has ensured benefits from its schemes are extended across all castes and communities. "That is why girls here say they want to be reborn as girls in their next life," he said.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes, messages and quotes !