In a remarkable move during the election year, the Delhi government has bestowed a significant gift upon women. Women in Delhi will now receive a monthly honorarium of ₹1000, thanks to the Chief Minister Women Honor Scheme introduced in the budget.
Empowering Women Through Financial Assistance
The government believes that this initiative will not only fulfill the need for books but will also provide relief to those who aspire for coaching for their studies. Moreover, it eliminates the necessity for women to seek assistance publicly for personal expenses. In a bold move, Finance Minister Atishi prioritized women in the budget, introducing the Chief Minister Women Honor Scheme for 2024-25 with an allocation of ₹2000 crores, aiming to empower half of the population. Atishi expressed confidence that Delhi’s efforts towards women’s safety and dignity would earn the blessings of Lord Rama for all Delhiites.
Changing Dynamics of Financial Independence
During his budget speech reminiscent of a utopian vision, Atishi elaborated that upon a daughter or sister’s return home from her in-laws’, her father or brother typically handed her money to fulfill her needs. Now, they won’t have to rely on anyone else for financial support. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken up the responsibility of being an elder brother and son by introducing this scheme.
Eligibility and Application Process
Who will benefit from the scheme? Every woman above 18 years of age will receive ₹1000 per month. Eligible women include those who are not part of any government pension scheme, are not government employees, and do not pay income tax. Applicants must fill out a form and declare that they are not part of any government scheme, are not government employees, and are not income taxpayers. Each woman must provide her Aadhar card and bank account details along with the form.
Current Facilities Available
The Delhi government is committed to providing education to 9 lakh girls. This year, 933 girls passed the NEET exam, and 123 girls cleared the JEE. Over 1.1 million women are traveling for free with pink tickets. Under the CCTVs scheme, Delhi has installed over 260,000 cameras. More than 62 lights per kilometer are installed, and under the Chief Minister Street Lights Scheme, over 280,000 LED lights are in place. Free bus travel for women will continue.
Financial Allocations for Social Welfare and Women Empowerment
For nutrition-related schemes, the Delhi government has allocated around ₹664 crores. Finance Minister Atishi, under the concept of Ram Rajya, emphasized the importance of eradicating hunger. She stated that real Ram Rajya is where no one sleeps hungry and every needy person receives food. To achieve this, several initiatives have been launched. There are 10,897 Anganwadi centers in Delhi, catering to the nutrition needs of 800,000 women and children. Every day, nutritious meals are provided to 180,000 children aged 3 to 6 years, along with fortified meals for up to 3 years and nutritious meals for 120,000 pregnant women. To facilitate this, the government has established 11 world-class kitchens, preparing high-protein meals such as wheat, millet, ragi, beans, and lentils for children. Under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, more than 20 million students in Delhi government and MCD schools receive nutritious meals daily.