Editor Mr.Mayank Rawat ( Chief Editor Mr. Rohit Mishra )
New Delhi: The allocation for the social welfare and security sector in Tuesday’s Delhi budget saw a massive 58.3% jump — from Rs 6,694 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 10,597 crore — with nearly half earmarked by BJP-led Delhi govt to keep its electoral promise of providing Rs 2,500 monthly to eligible women.
“Empowerment of women is a key part of PM Modi’s agenda. Unlike the previous govt, our policies will not keep the poor poorer and make the middle class miserable,” said CM Rekha Gupta as she announced Rs 5,100 crore for the Mahila Samridhi Yojana.
With Rs 2,500 per month per woman, the scheme would provide about Rs 30,000 annually to each woman. A simple calculation suggests this budget would cover nearly 17 lakh women in Delhi. Earlier, under AAP govt, the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, which was to provide Rs 1,000 per month to eligible women aged 18-60 in Delhi, was expected to benefit about 38 lakh women.
To support pregnant women and newborns, CM announced Rs 210 crore for the Mukhyamantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which would provide Rs 21,000 and six nutrition kits to one lakh beneficiaries.
Meanwhile, to improve the plight of slum-dwellers, Delhi govt earmarked Rs 5 crore for the rehabilitation of homeless people in the city. Apart from shelter, it also plans to provide them vocational training and engage them in skill development programmes.
“You built Sheesh Mahals for yourself; we will build homes for the poor. You installed pot toilets for your comfort; we will construct public toilets for the slum-dwellers,” CM said while announcing the proposal.
In the run-up to Delhi assembly elections, BJP’s campaign had focused on its commitment to improving JJ clusters, with the promise “Jaha jhuggi, waha makaan.”
To make slums more accessible and provide basic amenities, Rs 696 crore has been allocated to Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), a 157% jump from last year. Moreover, Rs 20 crore has been earmarked for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) to provide housing to the poor.
A total of Rs 3,227 crore has been set aside for financial assistance schemes covering the elderly, women in distress and SC/ST communities. While those aged 60-69 will get monthly assistance of Rs 2,500, those aged above 70 will receive Rs 3,000. Seniors from the SC/ST/minority communities will get an extra Rs 500 per month. For women in distress and persons with disabilities, financial aid has increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000.
Recognising the challenges of working mothers, the ‘Palna – National Creche Scheme’ received a budget of Rs 50 crore to establish 500 palna-anganwadi-cum-creche centres. Underlining govt’s commitment to child development, the ‘Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2 Scheme’ will see a provision of Rs 206 crore to upgrade 1,000 anganwadi centres.
To uplift SC students, the ‘Dr BR Ambedkar Stipend Scheme’ has been introduced, with an allocation of Rs 5 crore. The scheme will provide Rs 1,000 as monthly stipend to students pursuing technical and vocational education.
Mayank Rawat
