Delhi Assembly polls: To counter AAP’s cash-scheme guarantee, Congress launches Pyari Didi Yojana

Drawing comparisons, Congress leaders criticised the current governance in Delhi as the party pledged significant financial relief for women if voted to power. A launch video accompanying the announcement highlighted this. “In the last 10 years, the life of women in Delhi has gone from bad to worse. On one hand, there is the burden of inflation, and on the other, an ineffective government. The Congress party understands the pain of every woman in Delhi. The Congress party knows the difficulties faced in getting two meals a day and cooking food. That is why we have decided that as soon as we form the government, every woman in Delhi will be given Rs. 2,500.”

Delhi Congress Chief Devender Yadav said, “The compulsion of inflation will be removed, and women’s expectations will be fulfilled with Rs. 2,500. The money will be provided to women through a direct bank transfer, just like it’s being done in Karnataka. Be it Jharkhand, or before this in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, whatever election promises we had made, we fulfilled them. This is why people have full faith in the Congress.”

Karnataka Congress Chief and Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who was also present at the event, highlighted the schemes that have been launched in his state when the Congress came to power, including a Rs. 2000 cash scheme for women. “Congress’ strength is the country’s strength, and Congress’ history is the country’s history, so whatever Congress promises, it will always deliver. I’m here as the president of the Karnataka Congress Committee and as the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka to launch a very loved programme,” said Shivakumar.

“In Karnataka, first we launched the Gruh Jyoti Yojana to provide free power, followed by a cash scheme for which Priyanka Gandhi had asked me and Siddaramaiah to sign a cheque. A big Rs. 2,000 cheque was distributed to every woman, and we assured them that in the first cabinet meeting, we would make decisions on these guarantees. After taking the oath, we passed all these programs, and within three months, all the guarantees were being implemented,” he added.

Shivakumar highlighted the success of Karnataka’s welfare schemes, including free bus travel for women, distribution of 10 kg of rice to every family member, and monthly payments of Rs. 3,000 to unemployed youth. Under the Gruh Jyoti scheme, free electricity is being provided, while the Gruh Lakshmi scheme deposits Rs. 2,000 monthly into the accounts of women. “Around 1.22 crore women have been receiving Rs. 2,000 in their accounts every month, and this financial aid has brought noticeable changes in families, with Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 reaching them monthly,” Shivakumar added.

While announcing the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal said the scheme would provide financial support to women from families with an annual income of less than Rs 3 lakh. Under the scheme, eligible women will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000, which will be increased to Rs 2,100 if the AAP is re-elected.

According to the ruling party, women must be residents of Delhi and registered voters as of December 12, 2024. However, those already benefiting from government social security schemes, such as pensions for senior citizens, widows, and disabled persons, as well as tax-paying women or those employed by the government, will not be eligible.