Neeru Sewa, a member of the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) on 23rd January said that all the Women Empowerment Schemes in Sikkim were introduced and started by the Sikkim Democratic Front and not by the current Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) Government, accusing Sikkim Krantikari Morcha for taking Credit of their initiatives. While accepting the SKM Government’s introduction of the ‘Aama’ Scheme, providing financial support of Rs. 20,000 to women in the State, Neeru Sewa told that the SDF had laid the foundation for such Schemes during their tenure even if they didn’t name them specifically.
Neeru Sewa highlighted that the SKM Government’s ‘Aama Yojana’ and ‘Bahini Scheme’ were not entirely initiated as the SDF had previously implemented similar programs aimed at supporting mothers and women’s health without explicitly naming them. While expressing gratitude for the SKM Government’s efforts in certain areas, Sewa urged caution in labeling initiatives as women empowerment stating the need for a holistic approach that encompasses social and financial aspects.
The Former Government’s CM Rural Housing Scheme, dedicated to mothers, was highlighted as an example of SDF’s commitment to women’s welfare, even though it wasn’t explicitly named after them. Sewa argued that the SKM Government’s Bahini Scheme, focusing on distributing sanitary pads, was more about health and hygiene than Empowerment, cautioning against misusing the term “Empowerment.” Addressing the SKM Government’s Vatsalya Scheme, offering financial aid for IVF procedures to Government Employees, Neeru Sewa acknowledged the significance but contended that it was more of a State problem than a direct Women Empowerment initiative given the broader issue of fertility rates in Sikkim.
