In this context, direct cash transfers by state governments represent the only direct income for most Indian women. There has been an exhilarating enthusiasm shown by political parties to give, or at least promise, cash transfers to women. Ideological ContradictionsWhen the state decides to compensate women for household work, it makes several implicit ideological claims that deserve scrutiny. 1,000–1,500 against the hours of care work women perform—cooking, cleaning, childcare, eldercare—the hourly rate falls well below minimum wage standards. Without a restructuring of who performs household work, women remain the default caregivers.

Source: The Hindu February 18, 2026 11:04 UTC