The Delhi government has announced the final eligibility criteria for its new financial assistance program for women, the Delhi Laxmi Yojana. Set to launch on Raksha Bandhan, the scheme will provide eligible women from economically weaker sections with ₹2,500 every month in direct financial aid.
Eligibility Criteria for Delhi Laxmi Yojana
During a high-level meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the government approved the comprehensive guidelines for the scheme. To qualify for the monthly assistance, applicants must meet several key requirements:
- Age: The beneficiary must be a woman between 21 and 60 years of age.
- Residency: Applicants must have been a resident of Delhi for at least 10 years.
- Income: The beneficiary's family must have an annual income of ₹2.5 lakh or less.
- Household Limit: Only one woman per family will be eligible, with preference given to the eldest eligible woman in the household.
- Criminal Record: Neither the applicant nor any member of her family should have a criminal record.
Vision for Women's Empowerment
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the Delhi Laxmi Yojana, previously known as the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of women-led development. Gupta emphasized that financially empowering women has a profound social impact, accelerating the progress of families, society, and the nation as a whole.
The ₹2,500 monthly assistance was a significant promise made by the BJP during the Delhi Assembly election campaign. Earlier this year, the Delhi Cabinet approved the scheme and allocated ₹5,100 crore for its implementation.
Transparent Implementation Ahead
CM Gupta has directed officials to ensure that the Delhi Laxmi Yojana is implemented in a transparent, simple, and time-bound manner. Strict verification of applications will be carried out to ensure that financial assistance reaches only genuine beneficiaries. With the eligibility norms now finalized, the government is expected to commence the registration process soon, in anticipation of the scheme's official launch.