BJP should learn from Punjab and extend Lakhsmi Yojana benefits to all women without conditions: Kejriwal
Babushahi Bureau
New Delhi, August 3, 2026: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday criticised the BJP-led Delhi government over the eligibility conditions for the Lakshmi Yojana, alleging that the restrictions would limit the number of women who could benefit from the scheme.
Kejriwal said the BJP government should take lessons from Punjab, where the AAP government had not imposed similar conditions under the Mawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana.
He said that under the Punjab scheme, all eligible women in a household were receiving benefits without discrimination based on income, caste or other factors.
“If there are four women in a household, all four are receiving the benefit. We have not imposed any such conditions in Punjab,” Kejriwal said.
The AAP leader criticised the Delhi government’s reported requirements of a 10-year residency proof and approval or recommendation from an MP or MLA. He alleged that these conditions showed that the BJP intended to restrict the scheme’s benefits to a limited number of women.
Kejriwal claimed that the conditions could prevent a large section of women in Delhi from receiving assistance under the scheme.
“If the BJP government’s intentions were clear, it would not have imposed so many conditions and would have extended the benefit to all women,” he said.
Kejriwal urged the Delhi government to adopt an inclusive approach similar to Punjab and ensure that women receive the benefits of the Lakshmi Yojana without restrictive eligibility requirements.