In a significant move, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government announced the roll-out of the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana on Thursday. Under this scheme, women aged 18 and above in Delhi will receive a monthly stipend of ₹2,100. The announcement was made by AAP chief and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal during a party event in New Delhi.
However, the first instalment of the aid is expected to be disbursed only after the Delhi Assembly elections, as the model code of conduct for the polls is likely to come into effect soon.
Key Details of the Scheme
Scheme Name: Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana
Beneficiaries: Women aged 18 and above residing in Delhi
Monthly Stipend: ₹2,100 (revised from the earlier proposal of ₹1,000)
Budget Allocation: ₹2,000 crore
Expected Beneficiaries: Approximately 45 lakh women
Mr. Kejriwal emphasized the importance of the scheme, stating that it aims to provide financial support to women across the capital. He also highlighted that the registration for the scheme would begin on December 13, 2024.
Political Implications and Criticism
The announcement comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections scheduled for February 2025, leading to accusations from the opposition. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) labeled the scheme as a “ploy to mislead women voters.”
BJP’s Delhi unit chief, Virendra Sachdeva, criticized the timing of the announcement, pointing out that the AAP government had missed an earlier deadline in September 2024, set by Mr. Kejriwal during the Lok Sabha poll campaign.
Delays in Implementation
Addressing party workers at the AAP headquarters, Mr. Kejriwal attributed the delay in the scheme’s implementation to his arrest in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy for 2021-22. He claimed the case was politically motivated and delayed the rollout of several key initiatives.
“After I came back, I, along with CM Atishi, have been working tirelessly to implement this scheme,” Mr. Kejriwal said.
Financial Concerns
While the AAP government sees the scheme as a pivotal initiative to support women, concerns over its financial viability have been raised.
A Cabinet note accessed by The Hindu revealed that the Finance Department warned of a “heavy burden” on the exchequer, potentially pushing the State’s budget into deficit.
In contrast, CM Atishi defended the scheme, calling it “crucial” for empowering women and ensuring economic stability for vulnerable sections of society.
Election Dynamics
The Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana is expected to benefit a significant section of Delhi’s population, potentially strengthening AAP’s position in the upcoming Assembly elections. With an allocation of ₹2,000 crore, the scheme reflects AAP’s focus on welfare policies as a strategy to secure another term in office.
However, its delayed implementation and the BJP’s criticism of the timing raise questions about its political and practical feasibility.
