Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched the Lakshmi Yojana on Tuesday, providing eligible women with a monthly cash grant of ₹2,500 [1].
The initiative aims to provide financial relief to women across the city, particularly those struggling with debt. By establishing a regular income stream, the government intends to increase the economic independence of female residents.
The inauguration ceremony took place at Talakatora Stadium [2]. During the event, Chief Minister Gupta handed over official letters to approximately 4,000 women [3], marking the start of the disbursement process.
Gupta said she is providing ₹2,500 every month to give the women of Delhi economic strength. The program is designed to act as a safety net for those facing financial instability.
Addressing the timing of the rollout, Gupta said the delay in the scheme was due to the financial condition of the Delhi government and the heavy debt burden on women [4]. She said these financial constraints were due to the previous administration under Arvind Kejriwal [4].
A spokesperson for the Delhi government said that eligible women will receive the ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance [5]. The administration has not yet released the full list of eligibility criteria for all applicants, though the initial batch of beneficiaries has been identified.
The government expects the direct cash transfer to stimulate local spending and reduce the reliance of women on high-interest informal loans. This move follows a period of fiscal scrutiny regarding the city's budget and its ability to sustain large-scale social welfare programs.
“I am providing ₹2,500 every month to give the women of Delhi economic strength.”
The Lakshmi Yojana represents a shift toward direct benefit transfers to women, a strategy often used to increase household spending and female autonomy. However, by linking the launch to the previous administration's debt, the current government is framing social welfare as a corrective measure against past fiscal mismanagement. The long-term success of the program will depend on the city's ability to maintain these payments without further straining the public treasury.
