Delhi government has decided to provide Rs. 1000 per month as per its Mukyamantri Mahila Samman Yojna, a scheme announced in its annual budget on Monday.
Party sources believe that this scheme has launched not only in context of Lok Sabha elections but will serve as a significant achievement and a major political asset for Aam Aadmi Party in upcoming Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for beginning of next year.
The scheme will start in the fiscal year 2024–25, excluding women who are tax payers, pensioners, or government employees, as they are already financially secure.
The scheme will require women to furnish their Aadhaar cards, mobile phones, and other necessary documents as specified by the government to qualify for the scheme. The scheme will have an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore in the budget and will be implemented through direct benefit transfers.
This is Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government’s second major scheme for Delhi’s women however, it is considered as a replica of the Ladli Behna Yojana, a scheme launched by Madhya Pradesh government in 2023 that aims to provide financial assistance and empowerment to women in the state. This scheme paved the BJP’s victory in Madhya Pradesh, and the AAP government is replicating it, keeping in mind the upcoming general elections.
The Aam Aadmi Party hopes that the increased participation of women in active politics and their competitive edge in terms of voting percentage over the past few years will not only empower women but also provide a significant boost to the party. With a monthly deposit of Rs. 1,000 into the accounts of women, not only will they gain empowerment, but Aam Aadmi Party is expected to gain its base in Delhi. In future, AAP may attempt to strengthen its hold among voters in other states too by publicising its scheme.
In addition to this, Delhi government has also announced a budget of Rs 6,216 crore for various schemes under the Social Welfare Department, Women and Child Development Department, and SC/ST/OBC Welfare Department for the fiscal year 2024–25. The budget aims to provide financial assistance and empowerment to the vulnerable sections of society, especially women, senior citizens, and the backward classes. Another important scheme is the financial assistance scheme for senior citizens, widows, disabled persons, and destitute persons who are receiving pensions ranging from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 every month.