President Droupadi Murmu Launches ‘Sashakt Naari, Samriddh Delhi’ Initiative, Unveils Four Major Women-Centric Schemes

New Delhi, 02 March 2026 : At a grand ceremony, the President of India,  Droupadi Murmu, launched several ambitious initiatives aimed at the holistic development and empowerment of women and girls in Delhi. The mega programme titled “Sashakt Naari, Samriddh Delhi” was organised at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

On this occasion, the President launched four major initiatives of the Delhi Government focused on women’s empowerment – Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana, Free LPG cylinder scheme on Holi and Diwali, Saheli Pink Smart Card, and the transfer of more than ₹100 crore through DBT to 40,642 girl beneficiaries under the Ladli scheme.

The event was attended by Lieutenant Governor Vinay Kumar Saxena, Delhi Chief MinisterRekha Gupta, Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Delhi Cabinet Ministers Sardar Manjinder Singh Sirsa and Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh, along with thousands of beneficiaries.

Addressing the gathering, President Droupadi Murmu described the theme “Sashakt Naari, Samriddh Delhi” as timely and meaningful. She said initiatives such as “Meri Punji, Mera Adhikar,” Saheli Smart Card and Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya are important steps toward making women self-reliant. She expressed confidence that these welfare schemes would bring positive change to the lives of women in Delhi and contribute significantly to building a prosperous capital. Highlighting India’s cultural tradition of revering women as symbols of strength, knowledge and prosperity, she recalled the contributions of great women such as Lokmata Ahilyabai Holkar, Rani Lakshmibai, Savitribai Phule, Rani Gaidinliu, and Sarojini Naidu.

“Women today are achieving remarkable success in fields ranging from the armed forces and science to sports, politics, administration and business, while still facing challenges such as violence, economic inequality, social neglect and health concerns that must be addressed.
True empowerment is possible when women have the ability to make independent decisions, live with dignity and self-respect and enjoy equal rights, security and access to education,” she said.

Referring to various central government initiatives such as Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, and maternity-related schemes, she said these programmes have created pathways for women’s self-reliance. She also highlighted increased political participation of women through Panchayati Raj institutions and the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which have strengthened the vision of women-led development.

She added that women’s empowerment is not only the responsibility of governments but of society as a whole. Educating daughters, boosting their confidence and ensuring a safe environment are essential so that they can make life decisions without fear or pressure. Referring to the national goal of making India a developed country by 2047, she said this objective cannot be achieved without empowering half the population. Comparing men and women to the two wheels of a chariot, she said the nation can progress only when both are equally strong.

Emphasising Delhi’s responsibility as the national capital, she said, “Delhi must present a model of women-led development for the entire country. If women in Delhi are safe, educated and self-reliant, it will have a positive impact across India.”

She called upon citizens to prioritise women’s dignity, ensure equal opportunities for daughters and guarantee their safety.

Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena, addressing the event, described the programme as an important milestone in strengthening women’s empowerment in Delhi. He said the schemes launched by the Delhi Government under the President’s auspices will directly benefit lakhs of women in the capital.

He added, “A visionary approach is essential for women’s empowerment, and the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana is a strong example. By ensuring support from birth to higher education and vocational training, the scheme lays the foundation for making daughters self-reliant.”

He also emphasised that empowerment extends beyond financial strength to include equal opportunities, safety, dignity and community participation.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the occasion represents not just the launch of schemes but a powerful commitment to dignity, self-reliance and confidence for women.

“When a daughter is empowered, families become stronger. When women become self-reliant, society becomes more confident. And when women progress, the path toward a developed Delhi becomes clearer. This day will be remembered as a historic milestone in Delhi’s journey, as it celebrates the entire journey of a daughter– from birth to self-reliance throughout her life,” she said.

Referring to President Droupadi Murmu as a source of inspiration for millions of girls, she said her life journey is a true example to show that dreams have no limits. The Chief Minister stated that inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Nari Shakti Vandan, the Delhi Government has placed women’s empowerment at the centre of governance. The four schemes launched today aim to ensure dignity, economic independence and social respect for women.

Under the campaign “Meri Punji, Mera Adhikar,” a special drive was conducted to transfer pending Ladli scheme benefits to beneficiaries. In the first phase, around ₹90 crore was transferred to nearly 30,000 girls, and today more than ₹100 crore was transferred to over 40,000 beneficiaries in the presence of the President.

The CM explained that the earlier system often left beneficiaries unaware of their pending entitlements. Therefore, the new Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana has been designed as a stronger, future-oriented, fully digital and faceless system. Under this scheme, ₹61,000 will be deposited in stages from birth until graduation, which will mature to around ₹1.25 lakh with interest. A budget provision of ₹128 crore has been made for the scheme and girls living in child care institutions will also be included.

Calling the Saheli Pink Smart Card a “dignity card” rather than just a travel card, the Chief Minister said it aligns with the Prime Minister’s One Nation–One Card vision and will be usable not only on DTC buses but across other public transport systems. This will ensure freedom of movement, safety and easier access to employment and education opportunities for women, while making the DTC bus travel free for women holding this card.

The CM also announced that to provide relief in household expenses, free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali will be provided to eligible ration card holders through DBT. Around ₹130 crore has been transferred directly to beneficiaries’ accounts under this initiative.

The Chief Minister described women’s empowerment as a comprehensive framework built on security from birth, investment in education, freedom in mobility and relief in household responsibilities.

She concluded by saying, “Collective efforts will pave the way from ‘Sashakt Naari to Samriddh Delhi’ and from ‘Samriddh Delhi to Viksit Bharat’. Achieving the goal of a developed India requires equal participation of women in the workforce, innovation and economic activities.”

The CM also extended greetings for International Women’s Day and Holi, wishing a bright future for all women and daughters of Delhi.

Details of the schemes-

Under the “Meri Punji, Mera Adhikar” initiative, ₹100.25 crore was transferred through DBT to 40,642 eligible girls under the Delhi Ladli Scheme directly into Aadhaar-linked bank accounts, ensuring transparency and good governance.

The Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana has been introduced as a modern, digital and incentive-based replacement for the Ladli scheme. Under the scheme, ₹61,000 will be deposited in stages in the name of each eligible girl, which will grow to over ₹1 lakh with interest by the age of 21, subject to conditions such as completion of graduation or a vocational diploma. The scheme will operate through a fully digital, faceless, end-to-end online portal. Its financial management will be handled by SBI Life Insurance Company Limited under the SBI Life Dhanrashi Sadhan framework.

To strengthen safe and accessible mobility for women, the Saheli Pink National Common Mobility Card has been launched, enabling free travel for women in Delhi Transport Corporation buses in line with the One Nation–One Card vision. This card will eventually be integrated and can be used for travel across various public trasit modes including Metro and RRTS.

Additionally, beginning in 2026, ration card–holding families in Delhi will receive free LPG cylinders on Holi and Diwali, with the benefit delivered through DBT to ensure transparency.