SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Feb 1: The Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday announced a one-time new small savings scheme for women named the Mahila Samman Patra or Mahila Samman Savings Scheme for a two-year period up to March 2025. This initiative will avail a deposit facility for a woman up to Rs two lakh for a two-year period at a fixed interest rate of 7.5 per cent.
This scheme will also have a withdrawal option before the completion of the fixed two-year period, though it will only be partial. Here’s what women in Ranchi have to say about this step by the government.
Homemaker Monica Roy said, “I feel it is like a lollypop for women. Why start something like this only to stop it after the elections? With the elections to be held next year, I feel this is a way to impress female voters.”
Businesswoman Rupashree Goswami said, “New rates will encourage women to open FD accounts and focus on savings. This will benefit in economic empowerment of women.”
Abha Ekka, a psychology professor at Ranchi University said, “Investors, especially those like women, who are not only professionals but also homemakers at times, will be allowed to reap benefits of safe fixed savings without having to part with their money for several years.”
Antra Banerjee, a lawyer by profession in this regard said, “These schemes are also beneficial for the government as it provides it with the opportunity to mobilize resources for various development projects that may not be long term in nature.”
Meanwhile, Kiran, a retired GM from Coal India said, “This is eye wash. The government isn’t trustworthy. The government has made several promises earlier that took years to fulfil, while some like PM Modi Awaas Yojana has still not been able to provide homes to many. Also, what kind of scheme is launched only for two years? Is it because of the elections? Will the implementation of the scheme take two years itself? Also, why stop these right after the elections?”
