Delhi Govt's Lakshmi Yojana Eligibility Sparks Political Row Over Exclusion of Women with Three Children

The Delhi government's newly announced financial assistance scheme for women, the Lakshmi Yojana, has become a subject of political controversy after its eligibility criteria were made public. The scheme, which promises a monthly payment of Rs 2,500 to women from economically weaker sections, excludes those with three or more children, a condition that has drawn sharp criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

On Wednesday, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Delhi government, alleging that the eligibility rules are designed to exclude a majority of women in the national capital. In a post on social media platform X, Kejriwal pointed to a perceived contradiction between the government's policy and the views of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat, who has advocated for larger families among Hindus.

“Mohan Bhagwat is saying that every Hindu should have as many children as possible and Rekha Gupta is saying that if you have more than three children, you will not get the benefit under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana,” Kejriwal wrote, referring to Delhi’s Minister of Women and Child Development Rekha Gupta.

The Lakshmi Yojana, announced in the Delhi budget for the financial year 2025-26, is a flagship welfare initiative of the BJP government aimed at providing financial support to underprivileged women aged 18 to 65. The government has maintained that the three-child limit is necessary to ensure that benefits reach the most vulnerable and to encourage small family norms.

In response to the criticism, BJP leaders defended the scheme, stating that it is designed for the poorest women and that the eligibility criterion is based on the national family planning policy. They also accused the AAP of politicising a welfare measure intended to help women in need.

The issue has sparked a wider debate on family planning and welfare policies in India, with some experts noting that linking social benefits to the number of children is a common practice in several states. However, others argue that such conditions could penalise women from communities where larger families are more prevalent due to cultural or socioeconomic factors.

As the political slugfest continues, the Delhi government has yet to announce a detailed implementation plan or the number of women likely to benefit from the scheme. The AAP has promised to review the eligibility criteria if it returns to power in Delhi, adding to the charged atmosphere ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.