Saini formally launches Lado Lakshmi Yojana, says 20 lakh women to benefit in first phase

The eligible women aged above 60 automatically qualify for the Old Age Samman Allowance Pension Scheme.

The CM also launched a mobile app at a ceremony held at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula. Eligible women will be able to register for the scheme through the app.

The state government has launched the scheme with a budgetary provision of Rs 5,000 crore, with officials saying the additional expenditure will have minimal impact on the state exchequer.

“The scheme would need Rs 5,040 crore annually, which aligns closely with Rs 5,000 crore already earmarked for the scheme for 2025-26. The state exchequer is sound financially and this budget would not affect the economy anyway keeping in view the estimated GDP of Rs 12.13 lakh crore for 2024-25,” a senior official told The Indian Express.

However, Congress leader and former state finance minister Sampat Singh claimed that more than half of the allocation would remain unused this financial year, as the scheme is set to take effect from November 1. He also criticized the state government for imposing several conditions for accessing the benefits, despite having promised the facility to all women ahead of the Assembly elections.

Ahead of the October 2024 Haryana polls, the BJP had promised Rs 2,100 to women as monthly assistance if the party returned to power. The Haryana Cabinet had on August 28 decided to implement the scheme from September 25, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya. Saini had earlier said that that the scope of the scheme would be expanded in phases to benefit an even larger number of eligible women.

On Thursday, Saini released a toll-free number (18001802231) and a helpline number (01724880500) to address difficulties faced during the application process by the eligible applicants.

He said that nearly 50,000 women had downloaded the mobile app and around 8,000 women had already submitted applications after its launch.

“Women will not need to visit any common service centres or government offices; they will be able to apply directly from their mobile phones at home. Those eligible as of September 25 can begin applying immediately, while others may apply on the date they become eligible,”Saini said, adding launch of scheme marks the fulfilment of the 42nd promise out of 217 commitments listed in the Sankalp Patra (manifesto). He assured that 90 promises will be fulfilled by the end of this year.

“Inspired by Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya’s philosophy of Antyodaya, the Haryana government remains committed to uplifting every section of society, particularly women and weaker sections. Deendayal Upadhyaya believed a nation can become great only when its women are safe, educated and respected. The Haryana government is determined to ensure that women and daughters are economically empowered, self-reliant and active participants in the mainstream of society,” he said.

Saini said that in Haryana, the state government has set a target to create five lakh Lakhpati Didis, of which over 2.13 lakh have already been empowered. Under the Drone Didi Yojana, 100 women have received drones and training, with another 100 are to be trained this year, he said. He further said more than 66,000 self-help groups (SHGs) are active across the state. Of the 80 new colleges opened in Haryana, 30 are exclusively for girls. To ensure that no girl is deprived of higher education due to poverty, the government has introduced free education for girls up to post-graduation level, he said.

Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvinder Kalyan termed the launch of the Lado Lakshmi Yojana as a “historic step” for the empowerment of women. “This is not merely a scheme but a social revolution, which will enable women to attain new heights in education, healthcare and financial independence,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Krishna Kumar Bedi termed the Lado Lakshmi scheme a milestone in women’s empowerment.

Addressing the programme, Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said Prime Minister Modi has emphasied women’s empowerment.