2 weeks ago
Delhi HC Questions MP, MLA Endorsement For Lakshmi Yojana
The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana gives eligible women Rs 2,500 each month.
Women may be asked to get a recommendation from their local MP or MLA before their applications are processed.
The Delhi High Court questioned why this recommendation is needed.
The judges said the scheme’s eligibility rules do not mention such an endorsement.
The judges also said documents can be used to check whether applicants qualify.
Former Congress municipal councillors filed a case asking the court to remove the requirement.
They said it could be difficult and costly for women in informal settlements to reach elected representatives’ offices.
The Delhi government has been asked to respond, and the case will be heard again on August 24.
The Delhi High Court questioned the requirement that women obtain an MP or MLA endorsement for Delhi Lakshmi Yojana benefits.
The court said the scheme’s eligibility criteria do not require an endorsement, although application documents appear to do so.
The scheme provides eligible women a monthly direct benefit transfer of Rs 2,500.
A PIL seeks removal of the endorsement condition, calling it political gatekeeping and a source of hardship.
The court asked the Delhi government to obtain instructions and listed the matter for August 24.
- Who
- The Delhi High Court, the Delhi government, women seeking Delhi Lakshmi Yojana benefits, and petitioners Abhishek Dutt and Vedpal Chaudhary.
- What
- The court questioned the requirement for applicants to obtain an endorsement from a local MP or MLA.
- Where
- The Delhi High Court and constituencies covered by the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana.
- When
- The matter was heard on Wednesday; the next hearing is scheduled for August 24.
- Why
- A PIL challenges the endorsement requirement, while the court questioned its necessity and noted that eligibility can be assessed through documents.
Court And Petitioners’ Concerns
Endorsement Requirement In Applications
Need for political endorsement
Court And Petitioners’ Concerns
The court questioned why applicants must approach an MP or MLA when eligibility could be verified through documents. The petitioners argued that the condition gives elected representatives broad discretion and creates political gatekeeping.
Endorsement Requirement In Applications
The application documents reportedly list an endorsement or recommendation from a local MP or MLA as a precondition for processing an application.
Impact on applicants
Court And Petitioners’ Concerns
The petitioners said women in informal settlements and marginalised colonies may face travel, cost, transport, and logistical hardships when seeking endorsements.
Endorsement Requirement In Applications
The articles do not provide a stated defense from the Delhi government for retaining the endorsement requirement; the government was asked to obtain instructions and respond.
Key facts
- Scheme
- Delhi Lakshmi Yojana
- Monthly benefit
- Rs 2,500 for eligible women
- Endorsement
- Applicants are required in the application process to obtain a recommendation from a local MP or MLA
- Court’s observation
- The bench said the scheme’s eligibility criteria do not require an endorsement
- Petition
- A PIL filed by former Congress municipal councillors Abhishek Dutt and Vedpal Chaudhary seeks removal of the condition
- Scheme launch
- August 1
- Next hearing
- August 24
Quotes
Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya
Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court
“If someone fails to get endorsement of an application, will they be allowed to approach the second stage?”
indianexpress.com
Abhishek Dutt
Former Congress municipal councillor and PIL petitioner
“The requirement, therefore, entails repeated expenditure of time and money, disruption of household and livelihood responsibilities, and substantial physical and logistical hardship for women who are, by the very object of the said scheme, amongst its most vulnerable intended beneficiaries.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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