India, Aug. 26 -- The Delhi government on Wednesday handed over sanction letters to 4,190 beneficiaries of the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, under which eligible women will receive Rs 2,500 per month directly in their bank accounts. After the formal launch of the scheme that was a key poll promise of the BJP in the run-up to the 2025 Delhi elections, Union minister Harsh Malhotra, Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta handed over sanction letters to the beneficiaries at the Talkatora Stadium. The beneficiaries received the sanction letters after completing the prescribed verification process. They will receive the first instalment of Rs 2,500 in their bank accounts through the direct benefit transfer (DBT) mode on September 1. Also Read - Delhi: Boy, 8, found dead in Rohini lake; family suspects foul play Advertisement Of the Rs 2,500 monthly assistance, Rs 1,000 would be made available through a digital wallet for spending, while Rs 1,500 would be deposited as an FD/RD to help beneficiaries build savings for the future, an official statement said. The scheme is aimed at strengthening the financial security of eligible women aged 21-60. Chief Minister Gupta said more than 9.22 lakh women enrolled for the scheme since registration began on August 1. "The scheme is not limited to providing financial assistance. It is also a means of giving women financial security, confidence and the ability to make their own decisions," Gupta said. Also Read - Treat waterlogging as 'disaster', prioritise real-time redressal of complaints: Delhi LG to officials Stating that women are at the centre of her government's schemes, the chief minister described the Yojana as an initiative aimed at giving women greater financial strength and confidence. She also described the launch during the festive period of Teej and Raksha Bandhan as 'Teej ka Sindhara' and 'Rakhi ki Saugaat' from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the women of Delhi. The response to the scheme reflected the aspirations of Delhi's women. For Preeti from Burari, the money will help her take some financial load off her family. "I will use the money to help pay my child's school fees. It will reduce some pressure on my family," she said. Also Read - Suspected Shahzad Bhatti plot to target Capital puts police on alert Anjali from Anand Parvat feels that having some money of her own would give her a sense of independence. "I will use it to buy things for myself that I usually keep postponing. Women often put their own needs last, so having some money of my own will give me a sense of independence," she said. At the launch event, sanction letters were symbolically handed over to 65 selected women. Another beneficiary from Delhi Cantt, Rajni, has decided to save some and spend some once the amount starts entering her bank account. "I will use the money for household expenses and also try to save some of it. It feels good to know that some amount will be directly credited into my account every month," she said. Also Read - DDA opens Roshanara membership Speaking at the launch, Union minister Malhotra said the scheme is a step towards fulfilling the prime minister's guarantee and strengthening women's dignity and financial independence. Lieutenant Governor Sandhu said the Yojana is an important step towards women's dignity, empowerment and financial freedom, noting that women will play an equal role in building a developed Delhi and India. He also welcomed the use of the DBT mode, saying it would help ensure transparency and effective delivery of benefits. The chief minister also highlighted other initiatives of the Delhi government for women, including the Delhi Lakhpati Beti Scheme, Vidya Vahini, Palna, Pink Card, Annamol and free LPG cylinders for eligible beneficiaries. She also highlighted a provision of collateral-free loans of up to Rs 10 crore for small entrepreneurs, the statement said.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.