Delhi announces Rs 1,000 per month for women over 18, earmarks Rs 2,000 crore

After the Budget was presented, Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal said around 45-50 lakh women voters will benefit from this scheme. “I think there are around 67 lakh women voters in Delhi and if we remove the working women from this, around 45-50 lakh women will benefit from this scheme,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the proposal would be placed before the Delhi cabinet and implemented this year after the Lok Sabha polls. The Rs 2,000 crore allocation this year can cater to over 16.6 lakh women; more funds would be provided if required, officials said.

Delhi Finance Minister Atishi Singh with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal arrives at the Vidhan Sabha to present the State Budget 2024-25, in Delhi, Monday, March 4, 2024. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)

“To keep it simple, one has to give a self declaration to avail this benefit…After the polls (Lok Sabha), the scheme will be brought to cabinet for approval and will be implemented this year…This will also help the economy…,” Kejriwal said.

The CM said the proposed scheme was the biggest in the world for women empowerment. “How will a woman feel empowered, if she is not financially independent… A non-working woman has to ask her husband, parent, and brother for money every time, even for small needs, but this will not happen now… Rs 1,000 will be credited in their account every month,” he said.

When asked if the announcements have an impact on Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister said, “Yes, it should… why not…Kejriwal jo bolta hai wo karta hai…(Kejriwal keeps his promises…)”

With the announcement, Delhi has joined several other states, including Punjab and Madhya Pradesh, that have promised financial assistance schemes for women. In Madhya Pradesh, the government launched the Laadli Behna Yojana, wherein women aged between 21 years and 60 years are eligible for a monthly stipend of Rs 1,250. Karnataka also announced a stipend of Rs 2,000 per month to each woman head of a family.

In Tamil Nadu, under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam, women with an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh and owning less than five acres of wetland and 10 acres of dry land, and consuming less than 3,600 units of power, receive Rs 1,000 monthly.

Other states, such as West Bengal, Assam and Himachal Pradesh also have special assistance schemes for women.