Cong accuses AAP of stalling funds under ‘Ladli Yojana’

Congress leader and MP Ajay Maken on Tuesday criticised the AAP government for allegedly stalling funds under the ‘Ladli Yojana’, a scheme introduced by the Congress Government in 2008 to empower and protect the girl child in Delhi.

A Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report highlighted that over 3,20,000 beneficiaries did not get funds under the scheme.

Addressing a press conference, Maken said: “The Congress government, led by Sheila Dikshit, implemented the ‘Ladli Yojana’ to address the falling birth rate of girl children and ensure their welfare. However, the CAG report reveals that the AAP government has failed to distribute over Rs 618 crore to over 3,20,000 beneficiaries, depriving deserving girls of their rightful dues.”

Maken said the ‘Ladli Yojana’ provides financial assistance in the form of term deposits. Despite the scheme’s success and international praise, Maken said the AAP government stalled the payments, calling it “a gross injustice.”

“The Kejriwal government, which touts its so-called concern for women’s welfare by promising Rs 2,100 monthly for women, has done nothing for the welfare of the girl child in Delhi. This shows their fake concern for education and empowerment,” Maken added.

He further criticised the AAP for its neglect in other areas, citing the failure to construct old-age homes despite the Congress government’s allocation of three plots for the project.

“The plots for old-age homes were allotted in Sarita Vihar, Chhattarpur and Geeta Colony, but the AAP government did nothing, neglecting the elderly and women in need,” he said.

Maken also pointed to a significant drop in the registration of girl child at birth under the AAP government. “In 2014-15, after AAP came to power, the number of girl child registered at birth plummeted from 20,242 in 2008-09 to just 17,869. This trend continued, and by 2020-21, the number went down to 3,153,” he added.

The Congress leader also highlighted financial aid under the ‘Ladli Yojna’, including Rs 11,000 for institutional delivery and Rs 10,000 for home delivery, as well as Rs 5,000 for school admissions at various levels, which he claimed was neglected under the current administration.

Dismissing the allegations as baseless, an AAP spokesperson said: “It’s unfortunate that Congress is parroting BJP-manufactured lies, using forged documents cooked up in BJP offices. Congress should publicly declare its alliance with the BJP.”