BJP's Rs 2,500 Aid scheme: A boost to women's empowerment in Delhi

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Women from economically disadvantaged families in Delhi will soon receive a monthly monetary support of Rs 2,500 under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana a scheme promised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Sources confirmed that the scheme would be prioritized by the new government with implementation expected by mid-March as promised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign. In his last campaign speech PM Modi assured that the BJP would provide Rs 2,500 to women emphasizing that this would be fulfilled as part of the party's guarantee. The Prime Minister also specified that the payments would begin on March 8 International Women's Day. The BJP has returned to power after a 27-year gap securing a sweeping victory in 48 of the 70 Assembly seats in Delhi.

Sources indicated that the scheme would be funded for the current fiscal year with a budget provision potentially drawn from the revised budget estimates for 2024-25. The exact amount required to implement the scheme estimated to be in the range of Rs 600 crore to Rs 700 crore will be allocated during the first Cabinet meeting of the newly-formed BJP government. For the following fiscal year a new plan will be created to ensure consistent monthly transfers to women’s accounts. The scheme's procedural details also involve revising a similar scheme previously passed by the outgoing government which proposed Rs 1,000 per month to women but was never implemented. The new BJP-led government is considering increasing the amount to Rs 2,500 and potentially adjusting the eligibility criteria. A government official mentioned that the implementation could involve developing a portal which might take time due to the technicalities involved. However the groundwork for identifying eligible women and families below the poverty line as well as reviewing similar schemes from other states is already underway. Despite concerns about the financial viability raised by the Finance Department under the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government which had projected a cost of Rs 4,560 crore for the scheme in 2025-26 the BJP is moving forward with its plan. This will be the first step in delivering on its campaign promise and ensuring the money reaches women across the city starting by International Women’s Day. Tale unfolds as Delhi’s women are poised to benefit from the assurance given by the newly-elected BJP government ensuring economic support that could potentially improve their livelihoods and empower them in a city where politics and policies intertwine at every step.