New Delhi — The Delhi government is preparing to launch its ambitious Mahila Samridhi Yojana, which promises ₹2,500 in monthly financial assistance to women from economically weaker sections. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed that the policy framework is almost complete and the scheme would be launched soon. Speaking during a podcast-style interaction with actor Anupam Kher, timed with the BJP-led government’s 100-day completion in Delhi, Gupta detailed the ongoing policy work and financial planning behind the scheme. “We’ve already conducted six rounds of meetings and earmarked ₹5,100 crore in the Delhi Budget for implementing this scheme,” she said. Gupta assured that her administration intends to avoid the pitfalls witnessed in other states that had announced similar initiatives but failed to sustain them. Without naming individuals but clearly referencing rival political parties, she took sharp aim at the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh and the AAP government in Punjab, criticizing both for their failure to execute financial aid programmes for women.
Targeted Jabs at Opposition Failures
In her remarks, CM Gupta accused the Himachal Pradesh administration of announcing welfare schemes without ensuring long-term financial stability. “They rushed to announce a women’s scheme, but couldn’t sustain it. That’s a mistake we will not repeat,” she said. She also targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), both in Delhi and in Punjab. The previous AAP-led Delhi government had pledged a ₹1,000 monthly stipend for women ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, a promise that remained unfulfilled. Gupta added, “Even in Punjab, the AAP government made similar promises that never saw the light of day.”
The Delhi Chief Minister emphasised that her government wants the Mahila Samridhi Yojana to be a stable, well-funded, and impactful initiative. “Our approach is based on proper planning and allocation. We don’t want it to collapse midway due to mismanagement or lack of funds,” she stated.
Gupta acknowledged the high expectations placed upon her administration, especially among Delhi’s women, who she said have waited for meaningful support and governance. “We know that the women of Delhi have trusted us. They have seen tall claims before, and now they want real, dependable change. That’s what we aim to deliver,” she said.
Reflecting on the BJP’s decade-long stint in opposition, Gupta shared that it was a period marked by struggles and perseverance. “For ten years, our workers and leaders stayed among the people, even when we were not in power. We exposed corruption, we raised our voices against poor governance, and we kept working as public representatives,” she explained. Her comments referenced past issues in Delhi such as the controversial liquor licensing policy, which drew criticism from several quarters. “Liquor shops were opening on every street, corruption cases surfaced regularly, and the city’s interests were compromised,” Gupta said, referring indirectly to the Kejriwal-led administration.
Restoring Public Trust in Governance
Gupta spoke candidly about the dissatisfaction many Delhi residents felt after the anti-corruption movement that began with great hope at Ramlila Maidan. “People had genuine hope when the anti-corruption wave started. But they were let down. They lost faith not just in a government, but in the political system itself,” she said. According to the Chief Minister, this disillusionment created a major hurdle for her government. “Winning back trust in 100 days wasn’t easy. But my Cabinet and I have made it a point to stay on the ground, to meet people, and to show that governance can be honest and effective.”
Gupta stated that many of her team’s early efforts focused on building confidence, listening to grievances, and correcting administrative neglect that had persisted for decades. “Delhi has suffered not just in the last 10 years, but for the past 27. From the polluted Yamuna River to declining civic services, the city has been overlooked by successive regimes,” she said.
Budget Allocation and Rollout Details
The Mahila Samridhi Yojana is being crafted with a sharp focus on financial discipline and sustainability. The ₹5,100 crore allocation, Gupta said, would cover a wide range of eligible women beneficiaries, though the exact eligibility criteria and disbursement mechanisms are expected to be released in the final policy document.
According to internal sources in the Delhi government, the scheme is likely to benefit unemployed women, single mothers, widows, and women from BPL (Below Poverty Line) families. The rollout could follow a phased approach, beginning with women already registered in state welfare databases.
Administrative teams have also been instructed to ensure minimal bureaucratic delays. Gupta stressed that the aim is to empower women with direct benefit transfers to their accounts and prevent any scope for corruption or leakage. “We want this to be a scheme that uplifts, not complicates,” she said.
Gender-Focused Development and Accountability
Gupta also spoke about larger goals around gender equality and economic empowerment. While the ₹2,500 assistance is financial in nature, the government is reportedly planning to link beneficiaries with skill development, healthcare, and employment support initiatives.
“The Mahila Samridhi Yojana is not a standalone handout. It’s part of a vision to build a more inclusive capital city,” the CM said. “We are not here to offer token support. We are here to create real opportunities.”
When asked about accountability and long-term goals, Gupta responded that her government is also setting up monitoring dashboards to ensure transparency. The performance of the scheme will be evaluated every quarter, with updates shared publicly.
Political Timing and Voter Impact
The timing of the announcement, coming just weeks after the Lok Sabha elections and ahead of municipal-level planning reforms, indicates a strategic push by the BJP to deepen its voter base in Delhi, particularly among women.
Political analysts believe that the ₹2,500 scheme could become a cornerstone of BJP’s urban welfare strategy, especially if implemented without delay or bureaucratic entanglements. If successfully launched, it may serve as a counterpoint to the AAP’s welfare-centric governance model, which had previously resonated strongly with low-income groups.
Despite the political undertone, Gupta maintained that the scheme is need-based, not vote-driven. “We are here to govern, not campaign. The women of Delhi deserve this support, and we are delivering it without delay,” she insisted.
Delhi’s Changing Governance Landscape
Gupta’s first 100 days in office have been marked by high public visibility, community outreach, and efforts to address civic neglect. From pollution control drives to healthcare infrastructure checks and now the Mahila Samridhi Yojana, her administration is trying to reframe the governance narrative in Delhi.
“There’s no magic wand,” she said. “But if you show up, listen, and act with integrity, people notice. And that’s what this government is about.”
As the countdown begins for the launch of the ₹2,500 monthly assistance to women, attention will now turn to the scheme’s rollout mechanism, administrative clarity, and how it impacts not just the beneficiaries but the overall political and economic dynamics of Delhi.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s assertive positioning on this front signals not just a social welfare move, but a broader transformation in the capital’s governance model—one where implementation is measured, promises are kept, and public faith is methodically restored.
