NEW DELHI: Direct cash transfers to women have become the norm across states, with 12 now offering them, up from two in 2022-23. This year, the states are cumulatively projected to spend Rs 1,68,050 crore, or 0.5% of GDP, on unconditional cash transfers to women, a study by PRS Legislative Research has said. Just two years ago, the figure was less than 0.2% of GDP. Be it Gruh Lakshmi in Karnataka, Ladli Behna in MP, Ladki Behin in Maharashtra or Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana in Bihar, parties across the political spectrum have been using cash transfers to women as a way to quickly reach out to voters ahead of polls. The beneficiaries are clearly happy, although the state exchequer feels the strain of such bounties.

Assam and West Bengal, where assembly elections are due next year,

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