Rekha Gupta-led BJP government in Delhi is likely to roll out the implementation of Mahila Samriddhi Yojna and a scheme to provide free LPG cylinders during Holi and Diwali from Saturday, at the Mahila Diwas programme to be attended by BJP president JP Nadda in Jawaharlal Nehru stadium on the International Women’s Day on Saturday. The Delhi government may also announce Ayushman Bharat Yojna and a scheme to provide free LPG cylinder during Holi and Diwali.
In its manifesto for the Assembly polls held in February earlier, the BJP promised to provide `2,500 per month to women from poor families under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna when it came to power in Delhi.
Sources said the Delhi Cabinet will approve both schemes in a meeting scheduled on Saturday. Following the approval, the formal announcement will be made at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after 12 pm.
The Cabinet is likely to discuss the guidelines and eligibility criteria of the scheme before giving its nod, they said. The Chief Minister is scheduled to attend the Delhi BJP’s Mahila Diwas programme at JLN stadium at noon on Saturday.
The party said in a message that several senior BJP leaders including Delhi unit co-in-charge Alka Gurjar, state president Virendra Sachdeva, Mahila Morcha national president Vanitha Srinivasan, and BJP MPs Kamaljeet Sehrawat and Bansuri Swaraj will be present in the event. “The announcement of rolling out registration for the women aid scheme will be made in the event at JLN stadium,” the sources said.
The Delhi government estimates that 15 Lakh to 20 Lakh women will qualify for the scheme.
The IT department is working on integrating databases from various departments to streamline the eligibility verification process. The Budget for the scheme will reportedly be increased in the next financial year to include all eligible beneficiaries. The Mahila Samriddhi Scheme follows similar initiatives in other BJP-ruled states, such as the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh and the Ladki Bahin Yojana in Maharashtra.
Sources said the eligibility criteria of an annual income of not more than `2.5 Lakh and an age group of over 18 years up to 60 years were discussed at a meeting attended by chief secretary. “The income limit for women eligible to register under the scheme will be `2.5 Lakh. We prepared a draft of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, which will be presented in the cabinet meeting for approval,” officials added.
Once the draft is approved, the registration process will begin.
The Delhi government is developing an online portal for the registration process. A dedicated software is also being designed by the IT department to help verify applications and ensure that only eligible women receive the benefits.
In its Delhi Assembly election manifesto, BJP promised to provide `2,500 per month to women from poor families under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojna if it came to power in the capital.
The opposition, AAP, recently criticised BJP govt for not approving the scheme in its first cabinet meeting, as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The party held a protest at several places, questioning BJP for not
approving the scheme in its first cabinet meeting.
AAP leader Atishi on Friday wrote a letter to Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, urging her to ensure immediate transfer of `2,500 to women’s accounts, as promised by the BJP during the Assembly polls.
“The prime minister had assured the mothers and sisters of Delhi that once the BJP’s government is formed, the scheme to provide `2,500 per month would be approved in the first Cabinet meeting and funds would start reaching women’s accounts by Women’s Day,” the Leader of Opposition in the Delhi Assembly wrote.
With only a day to go for Women’s Day, women across Delhi are eagerly awaiting the fulfilment of this promise, Atishi said.
“They are hoping that the first instalment will be credited to their accounts as assured by the BJP. To give the women of Delhi their due, the funds should be
transferred without delay. Every woman in the city is looking towards you with hope,” she said.
