Delhi Cabinet Approves Rs 2,500 Monthly Cash Scheme For Women On International Women’s Day
In a big move, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Delhi made good on its promise.
As it approved the ‘Mahila Samriddhi Yojana’ to disburse a monthly cash aid of Rs 2,500 for women in the national capital, announced Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday.
The much-anticipated approval came on the occasion of International Women’s Day being celebrated across the nation today. Speaking to reporters, CM Rekha Gupta said, “On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we called a cabinet meeting. Our cabinet has approved the scheme – the promise that we made during the Delhi elections to provide Rs 2,500 to women.”
The Cabinet also greenlit a Rs 5,100 crore allocation in the Delhi budget for the implementation of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana. A committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Delhi CM for the implementation of the scheme and a portal will also be launched soon, Gupta further said.
Mahila Samriddhi Yojana: What It Entails?
According to an official statement, the Rs 5,100 crore yearly scheme will provide direct financial assistance to women in Delhi and is a major step towards ensuring economic stability and social upliftment for women, especially those from poor families.
The committee, chaired by Rekha Gupta, also includes Cabinet ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood and Kapil Mishra. The scheme will leverage advanced technology to ensure transparency, efficiency, and seamless disbursement of financial benefits, said the government.
“This initiative is a step towards fulfilling our promise to the women of Delhi. By providing direct financial assistance, we are ensuring economic security, greater independence, and empowerment for women across the city. This scheme is not just financial benefit but a commitment to building a stronger, more self-reliant community of women in Delhi,” the statement further read.
The Rekha Gupta-led government plans to extend the benefits of the scheme using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), under which the beneficiaries will get the amount directly into their bank accounts. Aadhaar-based e-KYC will also be used in these transactions.
All women, between 18 and 60 years of age, who do not have government jobs and are beneficiaries of other financial assistance schemes of the government are eligible for the benefits of the scheme.
BJP Vs AAP On Cash Aid For Women
Hours before the announcement, Leader of Opposition Atishi had raked up the issue and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not fulfilling the promises made during the election campaign in the national capital.
Posting an International Women’s Day wish, the former chief minister said Delhi women must be waiting for it today. “All the women of Delhi are staring at their phones today, waiting for the message of the money being deposited in their bank accounts,” Atishi said.