The Delhi government’s Women and Child Development and Health departments on Wednesday issued public notices clarifying that they are not associated with the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) proposed initiatives to provide Rs 2,100 to women and offer free healthcare for senior citizens. This announcement has sparked controversy ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

The notices warned the public against sharing personal information under the pretense of registering for “non-existent” schemes, emphasizing that any individual or political party collecting such information is acting fraudulently and without proper authorization.

This announcement followed a recent registration campaign led by AAP leaders for the Mukhya Mantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana, which has left AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal angry.

Kejriwal accused the BJP of being unsettled by these programs, suggesting that Chief Minister Atishi might be targeted with a “fake” legal case in the near future. “They are completely rattled by the Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana. They have devised a scheme to fabricate a case against Chief Minister Atishi and arrest her soon,” he asserted on X, alleging that raids would also be conducted against senior AAP officials prior to Atishi’s potential arrest.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj claimed on Tuesday that she had spoken with the health secretary of the Delhi government, who confirmed that no Sanjeevani Yojna currently exists.

Both schemes were announced by Kejriwal in advance of the Assembly polls scheduled for February next year, with AAP actively promoting the registration process. Party leaders are optimistic that these initiatives will attract voters, as similar programs have reportedly helped ruling parties maintain power in various state elections.

The notice from the Department of Women and Child Development stated: “Media reports and social media posts have brought to our attention that a political party is claiming to provide Rs 2,100 per month under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana to women in Delhi. It is clarified that no such scheme has been officially announced by the Government of Delhi.”

The department indicated that should the scheme be initiated, a digital portal would be created for eligible individuals to apply online according to established guidelines. The notice further stated that since no such scheme exists, there is no basis for any physical registration forms.

It also cautioned the public that sharing personal information—such as PAN account numbers, phone numbers, or Voter IDs—in connection with this non-existent scheme could expose them to various crimes, including cyber and banking fraud. Individuals were advised to disregard any misleading claims about the scheme and to be vigilant about sharing personal details.

The Mahila Samman Yojna was proposed in the AAP’s budget for 2024-25 to grant Rs 1,000 per month to eligible women over the age of 18 in Delhi. Kejriwal has recently pledged to increase this amount to Rs 2,100 if AAP is re-elected.

The Health and Family Department also issued a notice warning about the purported Sanjeevani Yojna, which was meant to provide free medical treatment for senior citizens over 60 at both government and private hospitals. The notice revealed that some political volunteers had begun a door-to-door campaign to collect information from elderly residents for this scheme, providing them with documents described as “Health/Sanjeevani Scheme Cards.”

The notice indicated that these volunteers were requesting personal details such as phone numbers, addresses, Aadhar numbers, and bank account information. Many elderly citizens had begun inquiring about the scheme at government hospitals and offices.

The Health and Family Department reiterated that there is currently no recognized “Sanjeevani Yojna” and emphasised that no individuals or political parties have been authorized to gather personal information from seniors on behalf of this scheme.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday slammed the Congress party for neglecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s contributions to India’s water resource development during the foundation-laying ceremony for the Ken-Betwa river linking project in Madhya Pradesh.

Speaking in Khajuraho, Modi emphasised that in the 21st century, nations that effectively manage their water resources are the ones that will thrive.

His remarks came in the wake of controversy surrounding Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s comments about Ambedkar, which have sparked nationwide protests by the Congress party.

Modi highlighted Ambedkar’s significant impact on water resource management, dam construction, and the development of major river valley projects alongside his role in establishing the Central Water Commission.

He accused Congress of failing to recognize Ambedkar’s contributions as a water conservationist and ignoring the pressing need for water conservation in the country.

“The critical challenge of the 21st century is water security. Only countries with sufficient and well-managed water resources will progress,” Modi stated. During the event, he also virtually inaugurated the Omkareshwar Floating Solar Project in Khandwa and laid the foundation for the Daudhan Irrigation Project, both part of the river-linking initiative.

Union Water Resources Minister C R Patil and Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav presented Modi with two urns containing water from the Betwa and Ken rivers, which he poured over a model of the project to officially commence the river linking work.

Modi said that the Congress party has historically stalled governance, claiming past Congress administrations delayed projects for 35 to 40 years after their announcement.

He asserted that the Ken-Betwa river linking project promises new opportunities for prosperity and well-being in the Bundelkhand region.

The initiative is expected to provide drinking water to nearly 44 lakh people across ten districts in Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh in Uttar Pradesh. Benefitting around 7.18 lakh agricultural families in 2,000 villages, the project will also produce 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar energy, according to officials.

On this occasion, Modi released a commemorative stamp and coin honoring former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the centenary of his birth, noting that Vajpayee’s government had advocated river linking as a solution to the country’s irrigation challenges and flooding issues.

Additionally, Modi performed a ‘bhumi pujan’ or ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of 1,153 Atal Gram Sewa Sadans, with a budget of Rs 437 crore, during the Khajuraho program.

Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday accused the central agencies of conspiring to arrest Delhi chief minister Atishi in a fabricated case, ahead of the assembly election.

Addressing a press conference with Atishi, Arvind Kejriwal claimed that as per sources, recently there was a meeting between CBI, ED, and I-T, and they have been asked to arrest Atishi by fabricating any false case against the chief minister.

The AAP national convenor further alleged that the probe agencies have also been asked to conduct raids on him, Saurabh Bhardwaj and other AAP leaders to distract them ahead of the assembly election.

Launching a scathing attack on BJP, the AAP leader accused the party of failing to deliver results during its decade-long governance in Delhi. He said that in the last 10 years, the BJP has done no work in Delhi. He added that they are asking for votes only by criticising and abusing Kejriwal. However, the Aam Aadmi Party has a positive campaign based on the work done, he continued.

Arvind Kejriwal further emphasized recent initiatives launched by the AAP government, including the Mahila Samman Yojana and a scheme providing free medical treatment for senior citizens. He added that the AAP has announced the Mahila Samman Yojana and a scheme for free medical treatment of senior citizens. He claimed that the BJP is rattled by registrations for these schemes. He also mentioned that the Delhi cabinet has already approved the Rs 1000 allowance, and a notification has been issued.

Meanwhile, Atishi claimed that Arvind Kejriwal has credible information suggesting that the BJP is attempting to file a fabricated case against her to halt the free bus service for women in Delhi. She added that even if they arrest her, she has faith in the legal system and the Constitution. She added that despite their false accusations, she is confident that she will secure bail. The allegations come amid the heated campaign for the Delhi assembly elections.