Women Are Not Child-Producing Machines: Delhi CM on Lakshmi Yojana Three-Child Cap

Women Are Not Child-Producing Machines: Delhi CM on Lakshmi Yojana Three-Child Cap

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday defended the three-child eligibility condition under the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, saying that “a woman is not a machine for producing children” and that her health must remain a priority for the government.

Gupta said repeated pregnancies can have a serious impact on a woman’s health and argued that the three-child condition under the scheme was intended to protect women rather than discriminate against any particular community.

“The condition applies equally to women, irrespective of their religion or social background,” Gupta said.

The Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, approved by the Delhi Cabinet, provides financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per month to eligible women. One of its eligibility conditions excludes women who have more than three living children.

The scheme is aimed at providing financial support to women aged 21 to 60 years from families with an annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh. The government has estimated that around 17 lakh women could benefit from the initiative.

The three-child condition has become a key point of discussion around the scheme, particularly over its possible impact on women from economically weaker sections. An analysis based on National Family Health Survey data found that women from poorer households are more likely to have more than three living children.

Gupta maintained that the condition was introduced with the health and welfare of women in mind and applies equally regardless of religion or social background.