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Delhi government had announced ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ in its budget, according to which Rs 1,000 was to be provided to women. Kejriwal said that government has increased the amount.
Delhi Assembly Polls: Arvind Kejriwal with CM Atishi (PTI Image)
Delhi Assembly Elections: Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced that the Delhi Cabinet has approved a proposal to provide Rs 2,100 every month to eligible women, more than double the initial amount of Rs 1,000 announced under the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ in the Budget 2024-25.
The move comes just ahead of the Assembly Elections in the city due to be held in February next year.
Delhi Government Raises Scheme’s Amount
Addressing a gathering, Kejriwal, who was also accompanied by Chief Minister Atishi, said that the proposal was passed in the Cabinet meeting this morning.
He said that transfer of money to the registered beneficiaries will “not be possible” as the elections will be announced in a few days time.
“Elections will be announced in 10-15 days, so it is not possible to transfer money to the account right now. Some women said that Rs 1000 will not be enough due to inflation,” Kejriwal said.
He announced that the Delhi government has increased the amount to Rs 2,100 and the registration for the same will start from Friday.
#WATCH | Delhi| AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal says, “…Today I have come to make two big announcements for the people of Delhi. Both the announcements are for women. I had promised that I will give Rs 1,000 to every woman. This proposal was passed in the cabinet meeting… pic.twitter.com/PXO8BElu7Z— ANI (@ANI) December 12, 2024
Where Would Money Come From For This Scheme? Kejriwal Answers
He addressed the concerns surrounding the source of money that’s needed for the successful implementation of the scheme, stating that he is a “magician of accounts”.
“Where will the money come from? I am a magician. I am a magician of accounts. I know where to get the money from. How to spend it. If I say it, I will do it,” Kejriwal said.
BJP Reacts To Kejriwal’s Announcement, Calls Scheme ‘Lollipop’
Delhi BJP Chief Virendra Sachdeva took a jibe at Kejriwal over the announcement of the ‘Mahila Samman Yojana’ calling him the “king of lies” while also questioning him over the implementation of a similar scheme in AAP-ruled Punjab.
“Jhooton ke Jahanpanah, Arvind Kejriwal… You must tell who is ruling Punjab. You had promised the same thing in Punjab but no one got anything there,” he said.
Sachdeva said that the announcement of the scheme weeks ahead of the imposition of Model Code of Conduct is a “lollipop”.
“This is just a lollipop as Elections draw near. People only believe PM Modi who has not just promised but also is giving benefits. Delhi and people only believe in Modi ji’s guarantees,” he said.
Taking a swipe at Kejriwal’s “magician” remark, the Delhi BJP chief said, “You are a magician and this magic is visible in the excise scam. People of Delhi are done with your Jaadugari”.
Mahila Samman Yojana
The Delhi government had announced this scheme in its Budget 2024-25 this year, however, its implementation was delayed due to Kejriwal’s arrest. Several states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand have similar schemes for women.
