Women not baby producing machines: Delhi CM on financial aid cap amid criticism

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta defended the three-child cap for beneficiaries of the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, rejecting the notion that women are merely machines for producing children. Speaking in the Assembly, Gupta emphasized that families plan according to their circumstances and that women's health is of utmost importance to her government.

She clarified that the scheme is not designed to support narrow-minded views and applies to women from all religions and sections of society. Gupta also announced that the government has set a target of 17 lakh beneficiaries and allocated Rs 5,100 crore for the scheme. She highlighted that about six lakh registrations were made after the portal was launched on August 1, with the first instalment expected to be disbursed on Raksha Bandhan.

However, the scheme excludes households with an annual power consumption exceeding 2,400 units and women who have not been Delhi residents for at least 10 years or do not have a recommendation from the local MP or MLA. Gupta also criticized the opposition parties, accusing them of failing to address women's concerns during their rule and even suggesting a Rs 30,000-crore scam during the AAP government's tenure.