Delhi Cabinet Approves Mahila Samridhi Yojana: ₹2,500 Monthly Aid for Women
In a landmark decision, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved the Mahila Samridhi Yojana on International Women’s Day, promising ₹2,500 monthly cash assistance to women across the capital. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government hailed it as a fulfilled election promise, aimed at boosting women’s financial independence.
CM Rekha Gupta announced the move after a cabinet meeting on Saturday. “Today, on Women’s Day, we’ve approved the scheme we promised during the Delhi elections,” she told reporters. The initiative, backed by a ₹5,100 crore budget allocation, targets women from economically weaker sections, offering them direct support through bank accounts.
The scheme will benefit women aged 18 to 60 who aren’t government employees or receiving other state aid. Using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and Aadhaar-based e-KYC, the government plans to ensure smooth, transparent payments. A committee, chaired by Gupta and including ministers Pravesh Sahib Singh, Ashish Sood, and Kapil Mishra, will oversee its rollout. A registration portal is set to launch soon, making it easy to apply.
“This isn’t just money—it’s about empowering women and building a stronger Delhi,” an official statement read. With an estimated 15-20 lakh women eligible, per early projections, the scheme could transform lives by providing economic stability to those in need.
The approval comes amid political jabs. Hours before, Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Leader of Opposition Atishi accused PM Narendra Modi of delaying the promise, saying women were “waiting for bank alerts.” The BJP hit back, with Delhi chief Virendraa Sachdeva calling it AAP’s “frustration” after losing last month’s elections. PM Modi had pitched the scheme as “Modi ki Guarantee,” vowing its launch in the first cabinet meeting.
