In a surprise development, the top officers of the Delhi government have junked two schemes launched by Chief Minister Atishi and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, hinting at a schism between the elected government and the bureaucracy. This has come when the amendment was made to the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) Act, wherein the control of the services department had been given to the lieutenant governor.
On December 23, Atishi and Kejriwal launched the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojna that promises a grant of Rs 2,100 ($24.59) to women who are not taxpayers. Sanjeevani Yojna, the second one, has promised to offer free health benefits for those above 60 years of age in all hospitals of Delhi.
However, both the schemes remain unapproved and have invited criticism from the ruling BJP at the Centre which has accused AAP of misleading Delhi residents.
The Department of Women and Child Development issued a public notice in newspapers, clarifying that no official declaration of these schemes has been made. It also warned the public not to entertain anybody, either as an individual or representatives of political parties, in the collection of forms or applications in any form over the schemes as fraudulent activities. “The general public is hereby advised not to entertain promises of a non-existent scheme, as these are misleading and without authority,” it emphasized.
The Health and Family Welfare Department also issued a similar notification condemning the schemes as fake. The department said it has been receiving an increasing number of queries about the schemes at government hospitals.
Reacting to the public notices, Kejriwal posted on X: “These people are rattled by Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana. They have planned to arrest Atishi ji in the next few days by filing a fake case. Raids will be conducted on senior AAP leaders.
While the scheme intended to extend financial assistance to non-tax paying women had received initial clearance by the Delhi government at the start of this month, its official registration portal is yet to become functional. The healthcare scheme too has not been cleared by the cabinet and implemented as yet.
