11 June,2024 06:27 PM IST | Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
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On Tuesday, Mahila Manch members protested outside Delhi Finance Minister Atishi's residence, demanding that the AAP government execute its budget commitment to offer a monthly stipend of Rs 1000 to the city's women. Protesters gathered outside the minister's home on Mathura Road, yelling slogans, reported PTI.
"The AAP government announced a Rs 1000 per month honorarium for women in its budget. It was not some poll promise. So, the government should now provide the money to the women," said one of the protesters Safia Faheem.
A senior police official reported that the rally was calm, and no one was arrested. "Some women protested in front of the house of minister Atishi. No one was detained as they were protesting peacefully," said the senior police officer.
Later, at a press conference, Atishi said that the protest was arranged by the opposition BJP's women's section, indicating their desire to acquire votes. "It was the BJP's women's wing who staged the protest. This shows the BJP's desperation. They know the people of Delhi want to see Kejriwal as the chief minister again, they know the chief minister will fulfil his promise of giving Rs 1,000. That's why they are staging such protests to scrap a few votes here and there in his name," she said.
However, Faheem denied any ties to the BJP. While on release from Tihar jail, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal campaigned for the Lok Sabha elections, promising to pay Rs 1000 per month to Delhi women.
The AAP government's 2024-25 budget, presented before the Assembly, featured a provision for adult women to receive Rs 1000 per month through the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana. Atishi previously told PTI that the programme would be announced once the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha elections was lifted, with a rollout envisaged around September-October of this year.
