By Chandan Singh | Page 3 News Worldwide | New Delhi 

New Delhi: Delivering on a key electoral commitment, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday launched the landmark Delhi Lakshmi Yojana and inaugurated its online registration portal, www.dly.delhi.gov.in, marking a major step towards women’s economic empowerment in the national capital.

Under the scheme, nearly 17 lakh eligible women will receive ₹2,500 every month through a technology-driven, transparent system. Designed to go beyond direct cash assistance, the initiative combines immediate financial support with long-term savings by offering beneficiaries the choice of a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallet for daily expenses and Recurring Deposit/Fixed Deposit (RD/FD) options to build future financial security.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the scheme reflects the government’s commitment to strengthening women’s dignity, prosperity and financial independence. She emphasised that a four-tier digital verification mechanism, including Aadhaar authentication, income verification and residency checks, will ensure that benefits reach only genuine beneficiaries directly and transparently.

The fully digital DLY portal will manage applications, document verification, approvals, banking integration and benefit transfers, while regular monitoring through dashboards, data analytics, social audits and third-party evaluations will reinforce accountability.

Women aged 21 to 60 years, belonging to families with an annual income of up to ₹2.5 lakh and meeting the prescribed residency and voter eligibility conditions, can apply online from August 1, 2026.

Calling the initiative a transformative social programme, Rekha Gupta said the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana is more than a financial assistance scheme, as it will also connect beneficiaries with government welfare programmes, skill development, entrepreneurship opportunities and social security initiatives, creating a pathway towards long-term self-reliance and inclusive development in Delhi.