Delhi Government Phases Out Ladli Scheme, Introduces New Lakhpati Bitya Yojana
In a significant policy shift, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta declared on Tuesday, February 10, that the state government will discontinue the long-running Ladli scheme by the end of March. This initiative will be superseded by the newly formulated Delhi Lakhpati Bitya Yojana, which is slated for an official launch in April 2026. The announcement marks the conclusion of the Ladli scheme, originally instituted by the Department of Women and Child Development back in 2008.
Financial Overhaul and Implementation Timeline
Addressing the media during a press conference, CM Rekha Gupta elaborated, "We will close the Ladli scheme by 31st March and open a new scheme which will be named Delhi Lakhpati Bitya Yojana." The transition involves a substantial financial commitment, with the upgraded scheme projected to cost approximately ₹160 crore for implementation. This investment underscores the government's renewed focus on enhancing support for female beneficiaries across the national capital.
Key Features of the Lakhpati Bitya Yojana
The revamped scheme introduces several pivotal changes aimed at bolstering educational and financial security for girls. Under the Lakhpati Bitya Yojana, the Delhi government will extend benefits exclusively to two daughters per family residing in Delhi. Chief Minister Gupta highlighted that the financial assistance will be incrementally raised, stating, "Over time, the amount will be increased to ₹20,000." Specifically, the total support per beneficiary has been elevated from the previous ₹36,000 to a more substantial ₹56,000.
This amount will be disbursed in phased instalments, intricately linked to educational milestones and age-related criteria, commencing from birth and extending through graduation or diploma-level studies. Gupta emphasized, "Upon graduation, you will get this maturity amount, which will be minimum ₹1 lakh." The accumulated funds will be managed via a structured financial instrument, designed to appreciate over time, and will be directly transferred into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account upon maturity, as reported by PTI.
Eligibility Criteria and Conditional Provisions
The scheme incorporates strict eligibility parameters to ensure its objectives are met. The government's primary aim is to encompass all eligible girls within this category, but with a crucial caveat: no financial benefits will be awarded if a girl is married before reaching 18 years of age. CM Gupta clarified, "Our effort will be to include all daughters of Delhi who come under this category and fulfil these conditions. We will impose some conditions... If the parents get her married before 18 years of age, then she will not get the benefit of this scheme."
Addressing Past Inefficiencies and Future Goals
In her address, Rekha Gupta also addressed previous administrative shortcomings, noting that upon assuming office, her administration discovered unutilized funds from the old scheme lying dormant in banks. "When we came to power, we learnt that funds for this scheme are lying unutilised under the old scheme in banks. Our government traced down almost 41,000 girl beneficiaries, whom we plan to distribute ₹100 crore," she revealed. This proactive measure aims to rectify past oversights and ensure that financial resources are effectively channeled to intended recipients.
The overarching vision behind the Lakhpati Bitya Yojana is to eliminate financial barriers to education for girls. Gupta affirmed, "no girl will quit education for the lack of funds," reinforcing the scheme's role in promoting gender equality and educational attainment. By linking monetary incentives to academic progress, the government seeks to foster a supportive environment that empowers young women to pursue higher education and secure a prosperous future.
