Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced a new financial assistance scheme on Thursday, promising Rs 2,100 per month to eligible women in the capital. This initiative, part of the Mahila Samman Yojana, is seen as a significant step towards addressing inflation and empowering women financially. While the proposal doubles an earlier promise of Rs 1,000 per month, payments under the scheme will only commence after the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections.
Kejriwal, accompanied by Chief Minister Atishi, stated that the delay in rolling out the scheme was due to opposition tactics that had hindered its implementation. He accused the BJP of “conspiring” to delay the program by targeting him and his government. Nevertheless, the AAP leader assured that registration for the scheme would start immediately, with payments beginning post-elections.
दिल्ली सरकार की ‘महिला सम्मान योजना’ हुई शुरू
अब दिल्ली की सभी माताओं-बहनों को प्रति महीने मिलेंगे 2100 रुपए #KejriwalMahilaSammanYojna pic.twitter.com/i6zgmfAKOm
— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) December 12, 2024
Who is eligible for the scheme
The scheme is aimed at women with no formal source of income. Those who pay taxes or are beneficiaries of other government aid are not eligible. Additionally, applicants must possess a valid Delhi voter ID card. The Delhi government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for the initiative in its 2024-25 budget, with an estimated 45 lakh women expected to benefit.
Kejriwal defended the scheme against criticism from the BJP, which labeled it a pre-election freebie. He argued that such measures strengthen society and address systemic needs. “What BJP calls ‘revdis,’ I see as steps to empower women and families,” he said. Kejriwal also pointed to his administration’s success in delivering free electricity as evidence of fulfilling promises.
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BJP questions practicality
However, opposition leaders have raised questions about the practicality of the scheme. BJP Delhi unit chief Virendra Sachdeva pointed to AAP’s unfulfilled promises in Punjab, where a similar scheme announced before the 2022 elections has not been fully implemented. Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has reportedly flagged concerns over the source of funding for the program, and the Delhi Finance Department warned that the scheme could push the budget into deficit by FY2025-26.
The announcement sets the stage for a high-stakes electoral battle in Delhi, with AAP positioning itself as a champion of welfare initiatives. While the scheme holds potential to attract significant voter support, its fiscal feasibility and execution will likely be scrutinized closely in the coming months.
