Mahila Samman Yojana Row: Atishi Rubbishes WCD Notice, Says BJP Pressured Officials

Delhi CM Atishi denounced a notice from the Women and Child Development Department on the Mahila Samman Yojana as "fake" and said it was published due to the BJP's pressure.

Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his successor Atishi on Wednesday called the notice issued by the Women and Child Development Department "fake". Incumbent Delhi CM Atishi said that the Delhi government had issued a notification for the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana to increase the allowance for the women of Delhi to Rs 2,100. "The Cabinet notification is available in the public domain. Despite this the WCD notice was published due to the BJP's pressure on a few officials," she said.

Delhi CM Atishi said, "The notices issued in newspapers today [Wednesday] are wrong. BJP pressured a few officers and got the [WCD] notice published. Administrative and police action will be taken against these officials because they published false information in newspapers... This only shows the frustration of the BJP."

What The WCD Department Notice Said

The WCD Department issued a public notice warning voters of the national capital about the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana'. The notice came two days after the AAP launched a "registration drive" for the scheme. The department said that it had come to know through media reports and social media posts that "a political party is claiming to give Rs 2,100 per month to the women of Delhi under the 'Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana".

"It is clarified that no such scheme has been notified by the Delhi Government. It is emphasized that since no such Scheme is in existence, the question of acceptance of the form/application for registration under this non-existent Scheme does not arise," the WCD Department notice published in newspapers on Wednesday read.

The notice added: "Any private person/political party who is collecting forms/applications or collecting information from applicants in the name of this scheme is committing fraud and has no authority."

Plot To Arrest Me: Atishi

Delhi CM Atishi further said the AAP has credible information that there was a plot afoot to stop free bus service for women in Delhi. "An attempt is being made [by the BJP] to impose a fake case on me.... Even if they arrest me, I have faith in the legal system and the Constitution... I shall get bail..."