It's another empty promise made before election: BJP

Transfer of money for beneficiaries will only begin after polls, says AAP supremo

- Alok KN Mishra

NEW DELHI: The Delhi cabinet has approved a scheme to provide monthly financial assistance of ₹1,000 to women in the national capital, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday, adding that the scheme is slated to be raised to ₹2,100 after the 2025 assembly elections.

The scheme for financial assistance to all women in Delhi is among the pivotal elements of the party's outreach ahead of the elections slated in early 2025.

Kejriwal, however, clarified that the money would only be credited into the bank accounts of beneficiaries after the elections.

"The elections are likely to be announced in the next 15 days so it is not possible to transfer the money into your accounts now. But the scheme has been implemented," Kejriwal said at an event at the AAP headquarters.

He added that in light of inflation, the government will raise the scheme to ₹2,100 a month after the elections. "While we were working on this scheme, many women came to me and said due to high inflation ₹1,000 is too little. I am announcing today that the registration for will start from tomorrow and it will be for ₹2,100 per month," he said.

All women in Delhi are entitled to apply for the "Mahila Samman Yojana" if they meet certain conditions - they should not be income taxpayers, government employees or pensioners.

A senior Delhi government official involved in the process said the eligibility criteria for the scheme includes that the woman should be above 18 years of age, should be a resident of Delhi with valid voter ID card as on the date of this cabinet decision.