In a major boost for gender equality, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta rolled out the ‘Delhi Lakhpati Beti Yojana’ on Tuesday, reimagining the outdated Ladli scheme from 2008. Targeted at underprivileged girls, it guarantees financial backing from cradle to college, fostering education without economic interruptions.
Speaking passionately, Gupta emphasized, ‘Our goal is clear: every girl in Delhi deserves a shot at success without financial barriers blocking her path.’ The scheme creates a dedicated savings fund that accumulates through phased deposits, maturing into a hefty sum post-graduation.
Beneficiaries receive up to Rs 56,000 in installments tied to age and academic progress, channeled via Aadhaar-linked accounts. Invested in secure instruments, this corpus balloons to over Rs 1 lakh with compound interest by payout time. Coverage spans from infancy to diploma or degree completion.
The CM didn’t shy away from past shortcomings. ‘When we assumed power, we found 1.86 lakh unclaimed matured accounts—funds meant for our daughters gathering dust.’ Swift action followed: Rs 90 crore already paid to 30,000 girls this year, with Rs 100 crore en route to 41,000 more, securing Rs 190 crore total.
‘It’s not just money; it’s empowerment,’ Gupta stated, renaming the initiative ‘Lakhpati Beti Yojana’ to symbolize millionaire aspirations for girls. This reflects the government’s ironclad pledge to protect every girl’s entitlements, ensuring direct, hassle-free transfers. Delhi’s daughters are set for a brighter, self-reliant tomorrow.