Thiruvananthapuram

The Kerala Assembly on Monday witnessed heated exchanges over the previous government's Women's Security Scheme, with the LDF alleging that the UDF regime was trying to derail it and Chief Minister V D Satheesan asserting that its implementation would be decided only after a detailed scrutiny.

A C Moideen (CPI-M) moved a notice for an adjournment motion, alleging that the government was attempting to "dismantle" a landmark welfare scheme introduced by the previous government for nearly 16 lakh poor women.

Describing it as a pioneering initiative that recognised the value of domestic work and provided social security to women, Moideen said no other state had introduced such a scheme.

He maintained that beneficiaries were selected after following due procedures and prescribed norms through local self-government institutions, including those ruled by the UDF, and that the official process had begun well before its formal launch.

Replying to the motion, Satheesan said the previous LDF government had introduced the scheme just before the Assembly elections without adequate preparations or procedural safeguards.

"The programme was launched without proper scrutiny. There are widespread complaints regarding the selection of beneficiaries. Unless these complaints are examined in detail, we cannot decide whether the scheme should continue," he said.

Clarifying that the government had not decided to scrap the scheme, the CM said Rs 1,770 crore had already been earmarked in the budget if it was to be continued.

"We have never said that the previous government's scheme will not continue. But we cannot take a decision without completing the scrutiny," he said.

He alleged that the previous government had hurriedly rolled out the scheme ahead of the elections without following any procedures or eligibility criteria.

Claiming that the UDF government was genuinely committed to women's welfare, Satheesan cited the implementation of its poll promises, including free KSRTC travel for women under the Priyadarshini scheme and enhanced remuneration for ASHA workers, Anganwadi teachers and others.

"We are the real champions of women. You were anti-women," Satheesan said.

He also questioned why the previous government had waited until the final month of its tenure to implement a manifesto promise and alleged that it had similarly shifted financial liabilities, including those arising from the Pay Revision Commission and 16 months of welfare pension arrears, to the succeeding government.

Satheesan further alleged that beneficiary lists for the scheme had been prepared by CPI(M) area and local committees instead of any duly constituted committee.

Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, however, rejected the CM's allegations and termed the government's stand "extremely unfortunate".

He also accused the Congress-led front of "attempting to sabotage" the scheme.

He said the previous government had implemented the programme after ensuring transparency and proper verification, with applications received through the K-SMART portal and beneficiaries approved by local self-government institutions.

"There is no need to see politics in this. Around five lakh applications are awaiting clearance. I do not understand why the government is showing such hostility towards poor women," Vijayan said.

He said the Chief Minister was still unwilling to assure the continuation of a scheme benefiting around 16 lakh women and urged the government not to show "ego or vengeance" towards poor women.

Based on the CM's reply, Speaker Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan disallowed the notice for the adjournment motion.

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The Women's Security Scheme was launched by the previous LDF government to provide monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to women aged between 35 and 60 years from Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Household (PHH) families, including transgender women, who are not covered under any existing social welfare pension scheme.