Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Blames AAP For Empty Treasury, Vows To Implement ₹2,500 Women’s Aid Scheme

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated on Sunday that the previous AAP government had left the public treasury depleted. However, she assured that her administration would still implement the ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance scheme for women.

Ahead of the assembly elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had pledged financial support of ₹2,500 per month for women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds under the 'Mahila Samriddhi Yojana' and ₹21,000 for pregnant women, as outlined in its Delhi election manifesto.

Photo Credit: PTI

"The financial situation inherited from the previous government is such that, upon reviewing it with officials, the public treasury appears completely empty. The Mahila Samriddhi Yojana is a regular initiative for the people of Delhi, a continuous endeavour for our sisters, and we will introduce it with meticulous planning," Gupta stated during a press conference.

She further announced that all MLAs would take their oaths during the first session of the Delhi government. Additionally, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker would be elected, while the pro tem speakers would be sworn in by the Lieutenant Governor on Monday.

Meanwhile, former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Atishi wrote to Rekha Gupta, requesting a meeting with the AAP legislative delegation on 23rd February to discuss the implementation of the ₹2,500 monthly scheme for women, a promise made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election campaign.

Atishi highlighted that, despite the first cabinet meeting taking place on 20th February, the promised scheme had not yet been approved. She remarked, "The women of Delhi placed their trust in Modi Ji's guarantee, but now they feel betrayed."

She further stated that if PM Modi's assurance had been genuine, the women's aid scheme would have been sanctioned in the first cabinet meeting. Accusing Chief Minister Rekha Gupta of revealing Modi's "false promises" on her very first day in office, Atishi commented:

"If Modi Ji's guarantee had been real, the women's financial assistance scheme would have been approved in the first cabinet meeting. However, on her very first day as Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta has exposed Modi Ji's false claims, proving that his guarantee amounts to nothing more than a 'jumla.'"

"At every public platform, Modi Ji repeatedly assured that women would receive ₹2,500. Even BJP President JP Nadda, during a press conference, stated that the scheme would be approved in the first cabinet meeting. However, this has not happened," she added.

Atishi also pointed out that Modi had promised the financial aid would be transferred by 8th March and questioned whether CM Rekha Gupta would once again fail to fulfil his assurance.

"Modi Ji specifically stated that ₹2,500 would be transferred to women's bank accounts by 8th March. I ask Rekha Gupta-will she once again prove Modi Ji's guarantee to be false on that date?" Atishi questioned.

(with PTI, ANI inputs)