New Delhi, Aug 10 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Monday that registrations for the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana will continue until all eligible women are covered under the scheme.
This is the largest financial aid initiative launched by the Delhi government to date, she stated during the ongoing monsoon session of the Delhi Assembly.
Under the Lakshmi Yojana scheme, monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 will be provided to eligible women aged 21-60 years, barring those having more than three children and those from households with annual power consumption exceeding 2,400 units.
“Delhi Lakshmi Yojana is the government’s biggest scheme of its kind; be it the 15-year government (Congress) or the 11-year government (AAP), no one did
it. Government has made a resolve to do this for the women of Delhi,” Gupta said during a Motion of Thanks regarding the scheme.
“Around 5.92 lakh registrations have already been done under the scheme in just 10 days of the start of the scheme. Our target is 17 lakh women, providing financial aid to women who really deserve it; we will not stop registration till we reach that figure,” she added.
The chief minister used phrases like ‘clock it’ and ‘first in my bloodline’, building a case for the government’s scheme.
“The government wants every girl to be empowered, strong and self-reliant, and to be able to live her dreams. With this objective, several schemes have been launched for girls so that every girl could become what she wanted to be, complete her education and proudly say, ‘first in my bloodline’,” Gupta said.
The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana was launched on August 1. The first instalment of the scheme is likely to be released around Raksha Bandhan, which will be celebrated on August 28.
AAP leaders have expressed concerns regarding the application process and eligibility criteria for the Lakshmi Yojana, which include being a resident of Delhi for at least 10 years and obtaining a recommendation from the local MP or MLA.
Gupta also urged that when women come to the Assembly to have their applications signed, legislators should act with dignity.
“Keeping the dignity of women in mind, MLAs should conduct themselves properly and treat women with respect,” Gupta said, addressing AAP MLA Anil Jha, who was present in the House.
Referring to a social media reel made by Jha, Gupta said, “Delhi’s women are asking how such behaviour can be acceptable. Such conduct in front of the women of Delhi is shameful.” Furthermore, Gupta questioned a recent announcement in Punjab to provide financial assistance to women, pointing out that Opposition members claimed the money had already been distributed, despite the scheme being announced in July, just before the elections.
“The Punjab government had taken no step in this direction over the previous four years, and even now the court had stayed the use of the funds and made it clear that the money belonged to the welfare fund for construction workers,” she further said. PTI SSM SSM MPL MPL
