Delhi CM Rekha Gupta approves Rs 2,500 monthly Mahila Samriddhi Yojana

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on 8 March 2025 that her government has approved the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana, a welfare scheme providing ₹2,500 per month to eligible women. The initiative, a key promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the Delhi Assembly elections, comes with an allocated budget of ₹5,100 crore.

Rekha Gupta stated that the decision was taken in the cabinet meeting held on International Women’s Day, emphasizing that the government was committed to fulfilling its pre-election commitments. However, the specifics regarding the eligibility criteria and the exact number of beneficiaries remain unclear.

“We made a provision of ₹5,100 crore in the Delhi budget for the implementation of the scheme. A committee led by me has been formed, and the registration process will begin soon,” she said, adding that an online registration portal will be launched in the coming days.

‘Modi Ki Guarantee’ Faces Scrutiny

The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana was heavily promoted during the Delhi election campaign, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi branding it as “Modi ki guarantee”. He had assured voters that the scheme would be approved in the very first cabinet meeting and that payments would be transferred to women by 8 March.

However, despite the scheme’s approval, the financial disbursement has not yet begun, raising concerns among beneficiaries. Critics, including the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), argue that the BJP government is not acting swiftly enough to deliver on its pledge.

AAP Accuses BJP of Delay in Financial Aid Distribution

The Aam Aadmi Party, which suffered a major electoral defeat in Delhi, has accused the BJP government of failing to meet its own deadline. Delhi’s Leader of Opposition, Atishi Marlena, questioned why the promised ₹2,500 payments had not yet been deposited into women’s bank accounts.

“Before the Delhi elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP national president JP Nadda assured that this scheme would be approved in the first cabinet meeting and that every woman in Delhi would receive ₹2,500 in her bank account by 8 March,” Atishi said.

She added, “The first cabinet meeting took place on 7 March, but there was no such announcement. Women across Delhi are waiting with their phones out, expecting ₹2,500—but the BJP has failed to deliver on time.”

BJP’s Return to Power in Delhi After 26 Years

The approval of the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana follows the BJP’s landslide victory in the Delhi Assembly elections, where the party secured 48 out of 70 seats, marking its first return to power in the capital in 26 years.

The Aam Aadmi Party, which previously ruled Delhi for a decade, suffered a major setback, winning only 22 seats, while the Indian National Congress failed to secure any representation in the Assembly.

Despite its electoral success, the BJP government now faces mounting pressure to ensure the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana is implemented efficiently. The party’s credibility is tied to fulfilling its high-profile campaign promise, and any further delays could spark backlash from both the opposition and the public.

What’s Next for the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana?

While the approval of the ₹5,100 crore scheme marks a significant step, key questions remain unanswered:

• Who qualifies for the ₹2,500 monthly aid under the Mahila Samriddhi Yojana?
• When will the registration process begin?
• When will women start receiving their first payments?

With no clear timeline for financial disbursement, the AAP continues to highlight what it calls a deliberate delay. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the BJP government can meet public expectations or if the opposition’s concerns about unfulfilled election promises gain further traction.