Delhi Chief Minister Unveils Initiative to Verify Beneficiaries, Targeting Illegal Migrants
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Synopsis
On March 25, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a verification initiative aimed at removing illegal migrants from social benefit schemes. This initiative is part of a broader budget strategy to enhance social welfare for economically weaker sections and improve support for women and senior citizens.
Key Takeaways
- Verification drive for beneficiaries announced.
- Budget allocation of Rs 10,047 crore for social security.
- Monthly assistance for senior citizens increased.
- Support for women through new schemes.
- Nutrition support for pregnant women enhanced.
New Delhi, March 25 (NationPress) In an effort to eliminate illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants from social welfare programs within the city, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a verification initiative for beneficiaries on Tuesday.
"Regardless of whether it pertains to ration, pension, or any other initiative aimed at economically weaker sections, we will conduct a thorough verification and registration of beneficiaries anew," stated CM Gupta during the presentation of a Rs 1 lakh crore Delhi Budget for 2025-26 in the Assembly.
She criticized the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for providing welfare scheme benefits to ineligible individuals, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas.
To aid and uplift impoverished and disadvantaged families, the Chief Minister allocated a substantial budget of Rs 10,047 crore for the Social Security sector, with Rs 9,780 crore specifically designated for schemes and projects within the Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, and SC/ST/OBC Welfare Departments.
For the BJP government's flagship program, "Mahila Samridhi Yojana", the CM approved a budget of Rs 5,100 crore, which will provide eligible women with monthly assistance of Rs 2,500.
This initiative aims to enhance women's economic independence, decision-making capacity, and self-esteem.
Additionally, Chief Minister Gupta revealed plans to increase monthly assistance for senior citizens aged 60-69 years to Rs 2,500, while those aged over 70 years will receive Rs 3,000 monthly.
Senior citizens from SC/ST/minority communities aged 60-69 years will receive an extra Rs 500 monthly, she added, noting that assistance for women in distress and divyangjan (differently-abled persons) will rise from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 per month, with a total budget of Rs 3,227 crore allocated for these initiatives.
For the nutrition of pregnant women, Rs 210 crore have been earmarked under the 'Mukhya Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana' to enhance the ongoing 'Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)', raising the total benefit under the scheme to Rs 21,000 along with six nutritional kits.
The CM also proposed Rs 50 crore for the 'Palna – National Creche Scheme', which will operationalize 500 Palna Anganwadi-cum-Creche centres, allowing poor working mothers to remain part of the workforce after childbirth.
She announced plans to upgrade 1,000 Anganwadi centres to Saksham Anganwadi centres, with a proposed budget of Rs 206 crore.
For working women, she introduced two new 'Sakhi Niwas', in addition to the existing 14 working women hostels in Delhi, currently benefiting 1,935 women.
Furthermore, she allocated Rs 5 crore for the new 'Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Stipend Scheme', which aims to empower Scheduled Caste (SC) students by providing a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 to support their technical and vocational education in ITI, skill centres, and polytechnics in Delhi.
