Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav addresses Maee Bahin Maan Mahasammelan on the occasion of International Women’s Day, at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: ANI

In the run-up to the Bihar election, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav on Saturday promised to launch BETI Yojna for the girl child.

Mr. Yadav, who is the Leader of Opposition in the State, said that BETI (Benefit Education Training Income) Yojna is different from the Mai-Bahin Samman Yojna under ₹2500 financial assistance to the women has been promised if his government is formed.

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He made the announcement during a function (Mai-Bahin Mahasamellan) organised by RJD on the occasion of International Women’s Day at Bapu Sabhagar in Patna.

Mr. Yadav said the government will make arrangements for the girl’s child education, training along with employment from her birth. The scheme will be brought after his government is formed. He, however, did not provide details for the process by which the girls would receive the benefits.

In the last month, Mr. Yadav has made several promises to the people of Bihar keeping the Bihar Assembly election in mind.

Earlier, he has promised to give ₹2,500 under Mai-Bahin Samman Yojna, increasing the amount of old age, disability, and widow pension from ₹400 to ₹1,500 and gas cylinder for ₹500. Along with this, Mr. Yadav has promised to give 200 units of free electricity if he voted power.

Three days back, Mr. Yadav had promised to implement 100% domicile policy in Bihar if his party comes to power after the Assembly election scheduled in October-November.

Recently, he promised to make changes to the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, by keeping toddy out of its ambit as people engaged in toddy tapping belong to the Pasi (Dalit) community and it is their only source of income.

“The mothers, daughters and sisters sitting here, the world only exists when you people bless them. I, Tejashwi, your brother and your son, surrender myself to your cause to make your life happy. My only resolution is to end your problems and worries,” Mr. Yadav said.

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He also attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over his remark on Rabri Devi in the Bihar Legislative Council on Friday. Mr. Yadav said that the way the Bihar CM addressed his mother was highly objectionable.

“The way he used the word ‘tu’ [you] in the Bihar Legislative Council was indecent and highly objectionable. Rabri Devi was the Chief Minister of united Bihar and she was elder in relation too. When Nitish ji has some work, he touches her feet. I will not make such a comment against him, may God keep him in good health,” Mr. Yadav said.

He also claimed that Mr. Kumar has not done any work for the upliftment of the women.

Ms. Devi who was also present on the dais praised her son and asked women to show trust in her son’s leadership.

“Trust my son, whatever he promises, he always fulfils it. You all have seen his performance for 17 months when he was Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar and he will do it again,” Ms. Devi said. Many women in the auditorium shouted slogans hailing Mr. Yadav’s leadership.