In a powerful step towards gender equality, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta rolled out the ‘Delhi Lakhpati Beti Yojana’ on Tuesday, injecting fresh momentum into girl child welfare. Building on the legacy of the discontinued Ladli scheme from 2008, this upgraded program promises comprehensive financial support to keep girls in school and on track for success.
The heart of the scheme lies in its structured financial aid: the Delhi government commits Rs 56,000 per eligible girl, disbursed in installments linked to age and academic achievements. Starting at birth, payments continue through critical stages up to higher education. Upon maturity, the corpus lands straight in the beneficiary’s bank account, ensuring direct empowerment.
To qualify, families must have lived in Delhi for a minimum of three years, with household income below Rs 1.2 lakh annually. Only two daughters per family can avail benefits. Enrollment is straightforward, available at birth (within 12 months), or when joining Classes 1, 6, 9, 11, or vocational courses.
Gupta, addressing a packed audience, called it a scheme close to her heart, symbolizing the administration’s pledge to unlock every girl’s potential. This initiative arrives at a crucial time when economic pressures often sideline girls’ education. By creating a savings nest egg, it equips them for lifelong financial security.
Stakeholders hail the move as a game-changer, potentially reducing school dropouts by 20-30% in low-income brackets. As implementation ramps up, all eyes are on how this scheme will reshape Delhi’s social landscape, fostering a generation of self-reliant women leaders.