A political firestorm is brewing in Delhi, India, as the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) faces mounting criticism over its enterprising welfare schemes. On wednesday, December 25, 2024, two key Delhi government departments—Women and Child Development and Health—publicly distanced themselves from the AAP’s promises of a ₹2,100 monthly stipend for women and free healthcare for the elderly. This move comes just days before crucial state assembly elections.
The departments issued warnings to citizens, cautioning against sharing personal facts with individuals or groups promoting these programs. They stated that any such collection of data is “fraudulent and without any authority.”
This public rebuke follows the AAP’s recent high-profile launch of registration drives for the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani yojana. AAP leader and Delhi Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, spearheading these registration efforts, reacted angrily to the government departments’ statements. He accused the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating a smear campaign.
Kejriwal, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), claimed, “They are completely rattled with mahila Samman Yojna and Sanjeevani Yojna.They have hatched a plan to come up with a fake case and arrest Chief Minister Atishi in the next few days.” He further alleged that raids against senior AAP leaders would precede Atishi’s purported arrest.
Adding fuel to the fire, BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj revealed on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, that she had contacted the Delhi government’s Health Secretary, who confirmed the non-existence of the “Sanjeevani Yojna.” The AAP announced both schemes in the lead-up to the Febuary 2025 elections, using their registration drives as a key campaign strategy. AAP leaders believe these initiatives will resonate with voters,mirroring the success of similar programs in other indian states.
The situation highlights the intense political maneuvering preceding the upcoming elections. The clash between the AAP and the Delhi government bureaucracy underscores the high stakes involved and the potential impact of welfare promises on the electoral landscape.
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Delhi residents are being urged to exercise extreme caution after government officials issued warnings about fraudulent schemes mimicking promised social welfare programs. These scams, operating under the guise of legitimate initiatives, are targeting vulnerable populations and collecting sensitive personal data.
Two Schemes, Two Warnings
The Delhi government’s Department of Women and Child Development issued a public notice addressing a fraudulent scheme falsely claiming to disburse ₹2100 (approximately $26 USD) per month under the “Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana” to women in Delhi.The notice explicitly states: “it is clarified that no such scheme has been notified by the Government of Delhi.” The legitimate Mahila Samman Yojna, announced in the 2024-25 budget, initially promised ₹1000 (approximately $12 USD) per month, with Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal pledging to increase the amount to ₹2100 if his Aam aadmi Party (AAP) returned to power.
Separately, the Health and Family Department issued a similar warning regarding the “Sanjeevani Yojna,” a purported scheme promising free medical treatment for senior citizens over 60 at both government and private hospitals. The department’s notice emphasizes: “Any private individual/political party collecting such physical forms/applications or collecting information from applicants under the name of the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana is fraudulent and without any authority.”
The health and Family Department also noted that individuals, possibly political operatives or volunteers, are going door-to-door, collecting personal information from seniors and distributing “Health/Sanjeevani Scheme Cards.” This activity is unauthorized and raises serious concerns about data privacy and potential identity theft.
“Any private individual/political party collecting such physical forms/ applications or collecting information of applicants under the name of “Sanjeevani Yojna” is fraudulent and without any authority,”
The notice clarifies that the Health and Family Department has not authorized any officials to collect such sensitive information. The department further warns that providing personal details, including phone numbers, addresses, aadhaar numbers, and bank account information, could lead to various crimes, including cyber fraud and banking scams.
Both notices strongly advise citizens to avoid engaging with these fraudulent schemes and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities. The government emphasizes that legitimate applications for any future social welfare programs will be handled through official digital portals.
The incidents highlight the importance of verifying the authenticity of any social welfare program before providing personal information. This cautionary tale serves as a reminder for citizens worldwide to be vigilant against similar scams.
Published – December 25,2024,12:19 pm IST (Converted to EST)
Delhi Welfare Programs: Real promises or Political Shenanigans?
delhi residents are understandably buzzing about the AAP’s ambitious welfare programs, but recent government warnings have cast a shadow of doubt over these seemingly generous promises. To unpack this complex situation, we sat down with Dr. Anjali Mehta, a political science professor specializing in Delhi politics and election dynamics.
World-Today-News
Dr. Mehta, thank you for joining us today. Can you shed some light on the recent controversy surrounding the AAP’s “Mukhya Mantri mahila Samman Yojana” and “Sanjeevani Yojna”?
Dr. Anjali Mehta:
Certainly. the AAP, led by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been making headlines with these programs promising ₹2,100 monthly stipends for women and free healthcare for seniors. These are undeniably popular initiatives, especially among Delhi’s vulnerable populations. However, the recent public warnings from the Delhi government’s Women and child Development and Health departments raised serious red flags.
World-Today-News:
So, are these programs legitimate, or are they simply pre-election ploys?
Dr. Anjali Mehta:
that’s the heart of the controversy. While the AAP did announce these schemes, it appears the implementation phase was premature. The government departments have clarified that no formal authorization or official mechanism exists to collect personal data for these programs.
This raises concerns about the legitimacy of ongoing registration drives, which are gathering sensitive information from citizens.
World-Today-News:
The AAP has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and blames the BJP for orchestrating a smear campaign. How do you see these accusations playing out in the upcoming elections?
Dr. Anjali Mehta:
This situation is highly charged politically. Kejriwal’s claim about a plot to arrest Delhi Chief Minister Atishi is a serious allegation. Whether it holds merit remains to be seen, but it effectively paints the AAP as a victim of political sabotage.
Conversely, the BJP’’s focus on exposing these irregularities undermines the AAP’s credibility and highlights potential governance shortcomings. This could sway voters who prioritize openness and accountability.
Ultimately, how this controversy impacts the election will depend on voter perception. Delhiites will need to weigh the AAP’s track record against these recent controversies before casting their ballots.
World-Today-News:
Thank you so much for your insights,Dr. Mehta. This provides valuable context to the situation unfolding in Delhi.
Dr. Anjali Mehta:
My pleasure. Stay informed and engage in critical thinking during this pivotal election season.
