Delhi Lakshmi Yojana RD maturity set for July 2029, year of next Lok Sabha polls

The Delhi government’s recurring deposit component of the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana is set to mature on July 31, 2029, according to official documents reviewed by Hindustan Times. The Council of Ministers retains the power to adjust the maturity date after a two-year review of the scheme, which aligns with the timeline of the next Lok Sabha elections.

Women without an Aadhaar card may still enroll in the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana by submitting an Aadhaar enrolment slip along with an alternative identity document such as a PAN card, ration card, voter ID, passport or driver’s licence. The Women and Child Development Department has directed district offices to facilitate Aadhaar enrolment for those who have yet to obtain the 12-digit unique identification number. Beneficiaries can apply for Aadhaar while registering under the scheme.

The scheme guarantees ₹2,500 monthly to eligible women. Of this amount, ₹1,500 is deposited into a recurring deposit account earning prevailing interest rates, while ₹1,000 is transferred via a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) wallet linked to the beneficiary’s bank account. Alternatively, beneficiaries may opt to have the entire ₹2,500 credited to the RD account through the designated banking partner. The RD remains locked in until July 31, 2029.

The CBDC wallet imposes spending restrictions and cannot be used to purchase items on the scheme’s negative list, including alcohol, tobacco, narcotic drugs, lottery tickets, gambling and betting. In cases of Aadhaar authentication failure due to biometric issues, beneficiaries may use iris or facial authentication or Aadhaar-based one-time passwords. If these methods also fail, benefits may be released against a verified physical Aadhaar letter with a QR code.

The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana was officially launched on August 26, with the first disbursements scheduled for September 1. On the launch day, approximately 4,000 women received sanction letters. The scheme aims to support up to 17 lakh women across Delhi by providing ₹2,500 monthly financial assistance.

To qualify, applicants must be women aged 21 to 60, the eldest female member of their household, and registered voters in Delhi. The family’s annual income must not exceed ₹2.5 lakh, and the applicant, her spouse or her parents must have resided in Delhi for at least 10 years. Income-tax payers, GST filers and government employees are excluded, as are families consuming over 2,400 units of electricity annually or owning a four-wheeler.

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