Delhi CM Rekha Gupta (Photo credit: ANI)
New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday refuted claims that ‘pink sahelika’ is not working, saying certain politicians were trying to spread false rumors about its use.“Under political propaganda, some politicians are trying to spread rumors about the ‘Pink Card’ for women in Delhi, saying that if you ride a bus once, swipe the card once and then get off and change to another bus, you cannot swipe it again. This is a lie. Your card is 100% working. With the ‘Pink Card’, the benefit of the trip does not go to any individual, which irritates some people. You don’t have to worry, you can get your ‘Pink Card’.” The card is easy to make,” said CM Gupta.She also took a jibe at the Aam Aadmi Party, claiming they were “annoyed” by welfare initiatives offered to women, including bicycles and “pink sahelikas”.“When ‘AAP’ gets bored of daughters’ bikes, how will Saheli Pink Card attract them. Pink Sahelika works perfectly. Free ride. Click on it. Stay worry-free,” CM Gupta wrote on X. Earlier, President Drupadi Murmu launched four women’s welfare schemes of the Delhi government at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.According to officials, the four schemes are ‘Saheli Pink Smart Card’, Free LPG Cylinder Scheme, Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana and ‘Meri Punji Mera Adhikaar’.Under the initiative, the Pink Card was introduced within the framework of the National Common Transport Card (NCMC) to provide free bus travel to eligible female and transgender residents. The card also allows paid travel on the metro and regional rapid transit systems via a contactless smart card. The cards will be issued at around 50 DM/SDM offices and selected DTC centers with eligibility verified through Aadhaar and linked to the mobile number of the beneficiary.The Chief Minister said this initiative will prove to be a milestone in making public transport more accessible, safe and digital.The scheme will provide two free LPG cylinders during the festive season through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). An amount equivalent to the current price of a bottle will be deposited into the Aadhaar-linked bank account of the household head. Around 1.55 million families holding ration cards will benefit from the scheme.The third initiative is the ‘Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana’ which focuses on the economic empowerment of daughters. Under the scheme, Rs 56,000 is deposited in the name of a girl in installments and, with interest, is expected to exceed Rs 1 lakh by the age of 21.The fourth measure involves payment of outstanding dues under ‘Meri Punji Mera Adhikaar’ ensuring timely and transparent processing of financial rights of citizens.
