Suspicions of shenanigans after 532-year-old woman was recipient of free sewing machine

According to information provided by the Chhattisgarh Labour Department in central India about the beneficiaries of free sewing machines and bicycles using the state’s welfare schemes for women, Mukhyamantri Silai (sewing) Machine and Cycle Sahayata Yojanas, many centenarian women aged 100, 200 and even 500 years are sewing and riding bicycles in the region. The eldest is aged 532.

This has raised doubts about the real beneficiaries of the scheme that has cost the state over Rs 40 crore (£3.9m, $6.6m). The two schemes for distribution of free sewing machines and cycles were launched on the eve of assembly polls last year to help women labourers working in the unorganized sector. About 115,000 women across the state reportedly benefited from the scheme. While the cycle scheme was aimed to benefit women in the age group of 18-35, free sewing machines were for women in the age group of 35 to 60.



However, the data shows that the age group criteria weren't followed at all. As per information obtained by activist Sanjeev Aggarwal, about 19,399 sewing machines were distributed to women in unorganised sector under Chief Minister Silai Sahayta Yojana in Raipur. The list of beneficiaries includes 6,189 women who were shown aged 114 years. Besides these, the list has six women aged 202, three aged 212 and two aged 282. There were at least 14 women aged above 300 years and seven in their 400s. One woman's age was given as 532.

Aggarwal said this misinformation could be just a tip of the iceberg, as the data obtained by him pertained only to Raipur. "If the information provided is correct, then beneficiaries' list has been fudged," he said. When contacted, deputy labour commissioner Savita Mishra said this mistake could have happened because of a software malfunction. However, she expressed surprise as to how incorrect information could be given. "I am writing to the concerned officers for conducting an inquiry to ascertain the facts," she said adding that whosoever is found guilty would not be spared.