President Murmu Launches Four Women-Centric Schemes in Delhi

**Overview** On March 2, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu officially launched four transformative women-centric welfare schemes of the Delhi Government during the 'Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi' (Empowered Woman, Prosperous Delhi) programme, aiming to substantially improve urban mobility, financial security, and basic safety for women in the capital. **Key Highlights** • The 'NCMC Saheli Pink Smart Card' was launched to ensure safe, integrated, and dignified free transport for women across the city, removing the leakages of the old bus-travel system. • A targeted energy scheme will provide two free LPG cylinders annually (during Holi and Diwali) to economically weaker ration-card-holding families. • The 'Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana' was introduced, providing financial support that matures to over ₹1 lakh by the time a girl child turns 21. • The 'Meri Punji Mera Adhikaar' initiative was launched to guarantee transparent, time-bound clearance of pending financial dues and welfare benefits to citizens. • The Chief Minister emphasized these schemes form an integrated framework protecting women from birth through education and financial independence. **Key Developments / Drivers** The fundamental driver behind these schemes is shifting women's welfare from piecemeal handouts to structured, long-term empowerment. By directly addressing critical daily pain points—such as the high cost of clean cooking fuel, the safety of public transport, and the financial burden of raising a girl child—the government aims to increase female labor force participation and ensure equitable access to urban infrastructure. **Strategic Importance** This development is critical for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Social Justice, Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections, Women Empowerment). It highlights the practical application of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) and targeted subsidies to correct structural gender imbalances in society. Promoting clean energy (LPG) also strongly aligns with national environmental goals and health objectives by reducing indoor air pollution. **Future Outlook** The successful execution of the 'Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi' framework will likely serve as a highly replicable model of urban governance for other Indian megacities. By securing financial independence and transit mobility, these schemes will actively catalyze greater socio-economic participation of women, deeply enriching the capital's overall developmental trajectory.