In the run up to the Assembly elections in the Capital, the Delhi Government has decided to highlight its achievements and various schemes launched by it over the years. All schemes and initiatives, particularly for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), will be complied in the form of a booklet which will be released by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.
According to the booklet, the Government has been running as many as 60 different schemes especially for the SC/ST/minorities and OBC categories - which together make up for 72 per cent of Delhi's electorate. "The aim of the Government was to reach out to the poorest of the poor, which was never done by the BJP Government. Recently launched -- the UPA Government's Food Security Scheme will benefit EWS further," said a senior Congress worker.
According to the State Government, the Social Welfare Department as well as the Department of Women & Child Development is running eight schemes, while the Food and Civil Supplies Department is running two such schemes. The department for the welfare of SC/ST/OBC/minorities is running eight schemes while the Education Department and the Higher Education Department run five such schemes. There are 43 schemes of different departments that directly benefit the poor people.
Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan said there are many schemes which directly benefit EWS. "These schemes are helping counter poverty in Delhi. The Government is providing free education, books, uniform and even stationery cost for them. Pregnant women are being provided with financial aid as well," he said.
The schemes include Dilli Annashree Scheme, ladli Yojna, kerosene free city, pension to women in distress, pension to senior citizens, financial assistance to poor widows for their daughters' wedding, financial assistance to orphan girls for their wedding, financial assistance to SC slum dwellers under Rajiv Ratan Awas Yojana and subsidy for school uniforms to students.
The Government also gives monthly cash subsidy of Rs 600 to those unable to get ration through PDS under the Dilli Annashree Yojna. The number of targeted beneficiaries is fixed to two lakh under the scheme. Under the Rajiv Ratan Awas Yojana, the Government is also constructing 67, 800 low cost flats for the urban poor.