Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has pledged to take stringent action against the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department for issuing a public notice discrediting the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana. The move comes in response to a notice published by the WCD Department stating that no such scheme has been officially notified.

The controversy began after AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday that registration for the 'Mahila Samman Scheme,' aimed at providing ₹2,100 per month to women in Delhi, would commence on December 23. However, the WCD Department issued a clarification, describing the scheme as non-existent and warning citizens about fraudulent activities associated with its name.

WCD Department's Warning
The department's public notice stated that individuals or political entities collecting information through forms or registrations under the 'Mahila Samman Yojana' were "committing fraud." It also emphasized that no scheme by this name has been approved or launched by the Delhi Government.

The notice further clarified, "Since no such scheme exists, the acceptance of forms or applications under it does not arise. Any private individual or political party soliciting personal details from applicants in the name of this scheme is engaging in fraudulent activities without any authorization."

Risks of Privacy Breaches

Highlighting the potential risks, the notice urged Delhi's citizens to avoid sharing sensitive personal information, such as bank account details, voter ID numbers, or phone numbers, with unauthorized individuals. It warned that doing so could lead to privacy violations and data leaks.

The WCD Department also appealed to the public to remain vigilant against misleading promises and false schemes. "The general citizens of Delhi are advised not to be misled by false assurances regarding this non-existent scheme. Please exercise caution in sharing personal information to prevent fraud and data breaches in the future," the notice read.

Reacting strongly to the notice, Chief Minister Atishi vowed to hold the WCD Department accountable for its actions. She criticized the department's approach, stating that such public notices could undermine confidence in genuine welfare initiatives. Atishi assured citizens that the government would address the issue promptly and take necessary corrective measures.