The Union Government is considering doubling the annual payout to landowning female farmers to ₹12,000, three sources with knowledge of the matter said, a move likely to appeal to women voters ahead of a general election.
The plan is likely to be announced in the budget on February 1 and could cost the government an additional ₹120 billion ($1.44 billion), said two of the sources, all of whom declined to be named discussing a budget proposal.
It will build on an existing programme that PM Narendra Modi, who will be seeking a third term in elections due by May, announced before the last national election in 2019.
