New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- The Delhi government has defended the requirement of an endorsement from the area MP or MLA for women seeking benefits under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, saying around 7.32 lakh applications carrying such recommendations have already been received.

In a short affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court, the Department of Women and Child Development said the petition challenging the requirement was "motivated" and did not involve any element of public interest. It sought dismissal of the petition and also questioned the petitioner's locus standi.

The government denied the allegation that economically weaker and marginalised women were being forced to make repeated visits to the offices or residences of MPs and MLAs to...