In the context of the Delhi assembly elections in 2025, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government has implemented and proposed a series of welfare schemes and subsidies, often referred to as "freebies," to secure a fourth consecutive term. These initiatives span various sectors, including electricity, water, women's welfare, healthcare, and financial assistance. The offerings have become a central issue in the electoral campaign, with rival parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress, presenting counter-promises. This article details the existing and proposed schemes based on the provided source material.
Key Welfare Schemes and Subsidies
The current and proposed freebies under the AAP-led government in Delhi include a range of services and financial aids aimed at different demographics. The most prominent schemes are outlined below.
Free Utilities
The Delhi government provides subsidies on essential utilities, which have been a cornerstone of its welfare policy. * Free Electricity: Households receive free electricity up to 200 units per month. For consumption beyond this limit, a 50% subsidy is applied. * Free Water: Domestic consumers are provided with 20,000 liters of free water per month. * Free Public Transport for Women: Women are eligible for free bus rides on Delhi Transport Corporation buses. Free rides on metro trains have also been rolled out.
Women-Centric Financial Assistance
A major focus of the current and proposed schemes is financial assistance for women. * Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana: This scheme provides financial assistance to women from households earning less than Rs 3 lakh annually. Initially, eligible women received Rs 1,000 per month. A key promise for the 2025 election is to increase this amount to Rs 2,100 per month if the party is re-elected. The scheme is described as a direct monthly financial assistance program.
Healthcare and Senior Citizen Schemes
Healthcare initiatives target specific age groups and community roles. * Sanjeevani Yojana for Senior Citizens: This scheme offers free healthcare for residents aged 60 and above. * Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana: Under this program, the government pays INR 18,000 per month to Hindu and Sikh priests.
Other Promised and Existing Schemes
Additional promises and existing programs include: * Doorstep Delivery of Rations: A service for delivering rations directly to homes. * Free Pilgrimage for Senior Citizens: A program offering free pilgrimage trips for up to 1 million senior citizens. * Free Entrance Coaching: Free coaching is provided to students whose annual family income is less than INR 8 lakh. * Financial Assistance to RWAs: The government has promised financial assistance to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to hire private security for their colonies.
Fiscal Impact and Budgetary Considerations
The implementation of these freebies has significant financial implications for the Delhi state budget. The total subsidies in Delhi have seen a substantial increase over the years. In the 2014-15 financial year, total subsidies were Rs 1,550 crore. This figure is projected to reach Rs 11,000 crore in the 2024-25 financial year, representing a continuous increase as a percentage of the Delhi budget between 2019 and 2024.
The expansion of these schemes, particularly the proposed increase in the women's allowance to Rs 2,100 per month, is expected to further strain the budget. If implemented, the women’s allowance scheme alone could nearly double the city’s annual subsidy bill to Rs 22,000 crore. This rise in subsidy expenditure has been linked to a reduction in capital expenditure. Between 2015-16 and 2021-22, the Delhi government spent, on average, 39% less on capital outlay than was originally budgeted. This underspending on capital outlay is significantly higher than the 19% average for other states. The low capital expenditure has consequences for infrastructure, as urgent repairs to roads, bridges, and flyovers may be delayed.
Despite the fiscal pressure, the subsidies have had positive impacts, particularly for low-income sections and the middle class, who benefit from free electricity and water schemes.
Political Context and Counter-Promises
The freebies model has become a defining feature of Delhi elections, with AAP winning majorities in 2015 and 2020 on the strength of its welfare promises. In the 2025 election cycle, this has led to "competitive populism," with rival parties introducing their own schemes to counter AAP's offerings.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which previously avoided the freebies path, has presented a series of counter-promises. These include: * Financial Assistance: Promising Rs 2,500 per month to women, which is higher than AAP's proposed Rs 2,100. * Subsidized Gas Cylinders: Promising gas cylinders at a price of Rs 500. * Free Utilities: Expected to announce certain units of free power and free water. * Continuation of Schemes: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised that no existing public welfare scheme in Delhi will be stopped.
The Congress party has also made promises, including Rs 2,500 per month for women and 300 units of free power, though it is considered a smaller player in the Delhi polls.
The history of such schemes extends beyond Delhi. The trend of monthly cash transfers to women began with West Bengal's Lakshmir Bhandar scheme in 2021, which provides Rs 1,000-Rs 1,200 per month. The Congress adopted a similar promise of Rs 1,500 per month for women during the 2022 Himachal Pradesh elections, a move that contributed to its victory. In 2023, the BJP implemented the Ladli Behna Yojana in Madhya Pradesh, providing Rs 1,250 per month to women.
Conclusion
The Delhi assembly election of 2025 is heavily influenced by a series of government-backed welfare schemes and subsidies. The Aam Aadmi Party's offerings, which include free electricity, water, transport for women, and significant financial assistance under the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana, are central to its campaign. These schemes come with a substantial fiscal cost, as subsidy expenditures have risen dramatically and are projected to increase further, potentially impacting capital expenditure on infrastructure. The electoral landscape has become competitive, with the BJP and Congress presenting counter-promises that often exceed AAP's proposed benefits, particularly in terms of cash transfers to women. The ultimate question for voters is which party's promises they trust, given the significant financial commitments involved.