Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday reiterated her government's determination to roll out a monthly financial support program of ₹2,500 for economically weaker women in the national capital.
She also lashed out against the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab for not delivering on similar promises.
Speaking in an interview-style podcast with actor Anupam Kher to commemorate the 100th day of her government in office, CM Gupta stated, "We have had six meetings on taking a policy decision on the issue, and I have provided ₹5,100 crore in the Budget for the Mahila Samridhi Yojana."
Making a swipe at other states, she said, "We do not want to fail like the Himachal Pradesh government, which had announced a scheme with great fervor but did not provide the funds. And the AAP government in Punjab, even after promises in the public domain, did not initiate the scheme."
She also blamed former Delhi government of Arvind Kejriwal for having duped women voters by announcing ₹1,000 per month just before the Lok Sabha elections without actually implementing it. "The AAP government was unable to fulfill its own promise," she added.
Chief Minister Gupta accepted the high hopes women in Delhi have from the BJP regime and promised that the Mahila Samridhi Yojana would be launched shortly with an emphasis on long-term sustainability. "We wish that the scheme be a long-term useful scheme without interruptions," she further said.
Reflecting on the BJP’s decade-long stint in opposition during the AAP’s rule in Delhi, Gupta said that her party remained resilient despite the challenges. “When we saw that the people of Delhi were being wronged, when corruption was being exposed every day, when liquor shops were opening in every street — we were in the midst of that struggle,” she said. "Delhi lagged behind in these 10 years, but wherever possible, we stayed with the people and worked for them."
She also spoke to the disillusionment of the public with political leadership after what she called a betrayal of the anti-corruption movement started at Ramlila Maidan. "People who were aspiring for honest governance were disillusioned. They again lost confidence in politicians. But my Cabinet colleagues and I have attempted to function while staying connected among people and this is assisting in healing the people of Delhi who have endured for 27 years," said Gupta.
She further criticized the neglect of Delhi’s infrastructure and environment, citing the deteriorated condition of the Yamuna River as a symbol of administrative apathy.
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