The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Delhi government over the eligibility criteria for the newly approved Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, alleging that the conditions are so restrictive that most women in the national capital will be unable to benefit from the scheme.
Addressing a press conference, Delhi AAP President Saurabh Bhardwaj claimed that the eligibility norms for the scheme, which offers ₹2,500 per month to eligible women through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), were approved by the Delhi Cabinet and were not merely administrative decisions taken by officials.
Bhardwaj alleged that the BJP had promised financial assistance to every woman in Delhi during the Assembly election campaign but had now introduced conditions that significantly narrow the pool of beneficiaries. He accused the ruling party of going back on its election promise, saying the eligibility rules appear to have been designed to prevent most women from receiving the benefit.
According to Bhardwaj, the BJP’s top leadership repeatedly assured voters that the scheme would be universal. However, he argued that the final guidelines contradict those assurances and questioned the government’s intent behind framing the eligibility criteria.
The criticism came shortly after the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) announced the formal approval of the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, describing it as the fulfilment of a key electoral commitment. In a statement shared on social media, the CMO said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Delhi government had allocated ₹5,100 crore in the Budget to implement the scheme and ensure financial assistance of ₹2,500 per month to every eligible woman.
The Delhi government also announced that the scheme will come into effect from August 1, with the monthly assistance being transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the DBT system. The government said the initiative reflects its commitment to women’s empowerment and economic security, adding that the progress of women remains central to Delhi’s overall development.
The contrasting claims from the AAP and the BJP have intensified the political debate over one of the Delhi government’s flagship welfare schemes, with questions now centring on how many women will ultimately qualify for the monthly financial assistance.