India, Aug. 27 -- Delhi Lakshmi Yojna formally launched in Delhi on Wednesday, with sanction letters issued to 4,190 eligible women and the Rs 2,500 monthly assistance set to be transferred directly to beneficiaries' bank accounts from September 1. The scheme was formally launched by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at Talkatora Stadium in the presence of Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu and Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra. During the launch ceremony, sanction letters were symbolically handed over to 65 selected beneficiaries, while the government said 4,190 women had been issued sanction letters after completing the prescribed eligibility and verification process. The scheme provides Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women aged between 21 and 60 through Direct Benefit Transfer. Also Read - H1N1 hits 2,446 in Capital Advertisement Addressing the gathering, Gupta said the government's commitment to provide monthly assistance to women was now becoming a reality. "The scheme is not limited to providing financial assistance, it is also a means of giving women in Delhi financial security, confidence and the ability to make their own decisions," she said. The Chief Minister said registrations for the scheme began on August 1 and more than 9.22 lakh women had registered so far. She said the government was working to ensure that eligible beneficiaries received assistance through a transparent and organised process. Gupta also said the Rs 2,500 assistance would address both immediate needs and future savings. According to her, Rs 1,000 would be made available through a digital wallet for spending, while Rs 1,500 would be deposited through an FD/RD to encourage savings. Also Read - Waterlogging: PWD, NDMC at odds Describing the launch in the context of the festive season, Gupta called the scheme "Teej ka Sindhara" and "Rakhi ki Saugaat" from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Delhi's women. Union MoS Harsh Malhotra said the launch represented the fulfilment of a commitment made by the government. "The Delhi Lakshmi Yojna is a historic step towards fulfilling Prime Minister Modi Ji's guarantee," he said, adding that the scheme would help strengthen women's financial position and self-reliance. L-G Taranjit Singh Sandhu said the initiative would contribute to women's economic independence. "The Delhi Lakshmi Yojna is a historic step towards women's dignity, security and financial independence," he said. Also Read - Forgiveness is the higher test of power: Speaker The government said the assistance would be transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts from September 1, allowing women to use the funds according to their needs and family expenses. The launch event was attended by several Delhi ministers, Lok Sabha MPs, MLAs, councillors and senior government officials. Cultural performances and registration counters were also organised at the venue. The scheme is among the Delhi government's key initiatives focused on providing financial support to women, with the government maintaining that the assistance is intended to strengthen their financial security and self-reliance.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.