AAP's Monthly Rs 1000 Honorarium for Women in Delhi Faces Budget Challenges Ahead of Elections

The AAP government's initiative to offer a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 to eligible women in Delhi has encountered bureaucratic hurdles. The Finance department has raised concerns about budget limitations, officials reported on Friday. The Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojna, introduced in the 2024-25 budget, aims to provide financial support to women, with an allocation of Rs 2,000 crore set aside for this purpose.

AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal has consistently highlighted the scheme during his Padyatra campaigns for the Assembly elections. He assured that the monthly payments would soon be deposited into the bank accounts of eligible women. While campaigning in Burari constituency last week, Kejriwal mentioned that registration for the scheme would commence shortly.

Budgetary Concerns and Financial Implications

However, the Finance department has informed Chief Minister Atishi that implementing the scheme would require Rs 4,550 crore to cover all eligible women in Delhi. This substantial subsidy could potentially lead to a budget deficit in the 2025-26 financial year. The Women and Child Development department recently submitted a draft proposal for the scheme to the Finance department for review.

Initially, the government planned to launch the scheme in September or October this year. However, delays occurred as the proposal took longer than expected to finalize. Preliminary estimates suggest that approximately 45 lakh women in Delhi would benefit from this initiative.

The AAP government remains committed to rolling out this scheme despite financial challenges. They aim to support women's empowerment through direct financial assistance. The Finance department's feedback will play a crucial role in determining how and when the scheme can be implemented effectively.