NEW DELHI: Delhi govt plans to launch its flagship financial assistance scheme of ₹2,500 a month to underprivileged women on Aug 28, Raksha Bandhan, officials familiar with the plan said.The govt is looking at direct benefit transfer as well as depositing a part of the money as FD in the name of beneficiaries. The govt is yet to decide, said an official.A series of meetings have been held with banks on disbursing money. The preparations are likely to wrap up by mid-Aug, said the official.
The govt is also likely to rename the scheme Delhi Laxmi Yojana from Mahila Samridhi Yojana, the title under which Rs 5,100 crore was allocated in the March 2025 budget.“The biggest scheme of Delhi govt should carry the name of the city and indicate it is exclusively for women,” said an official, explaining the renaming.The scheme was one of the biggest election promises of BJP. At an election rally, PM Modi said women would get its first instalment on March 8, 2025. It was also among the schemes that AAP govt, which promised Rs 1,000 to women, failed to implement in its second term.The launch has been delayed by a year because of the delay in finalising the eligibility criteria, by a panel of ministers. But now, according to draft criteria, women residing in Delhi, aged 21–60 with annual family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh may be eligible. Govt employees, income-tax payers, pensioners, and four-wheeler owners are likely to be excluded.“It has been discussed that women who have ration cards and meet the age criteria will be eligible for applying for the scheme because there is little doubt over their income. The govt has already conducted a comprehensive verification drive to remove ineligible, duplicate and deceased ration card holders,” said an official.The official said the govt is also considering the use of CBDC (digital rupee) for transferring the money. It is the digital form of India’s physical currency issued by RBI.The eligible women will require a CBDC wallet, either through a participating bankor another RBI-authorised platform. “It has been discussed with banks, but this mode of payment has not been finalised. It is likely to be part of the proposal when it is prepared,” said an official.Applicants can apply through an online portal by furnishing Aadhaar, an Aadhaar-linked bank account details, proof of Delhi residence and a self-declaration.“The portal is complete, we just need to update the eligibility criteria before it can be taken live,” said an official.
