Delhi Government Additional Standing Counsel Anuj Aggarwal on Thursday sought time from the Delhi High Court to take instructions upon a plea by a woman who is a beneficiary under the Delhi Ladli Scheme, 2008, alleging non-payment of the amount accrued to her, under the said scheme, upon maturity in 2012.
The matter was listed before Justice Rekha Palli. The Bench noted that even though there is a ‘gross delay’ on the part of the woman in approaching the Court, the fact that the amount was indeed sanctioned in her favour as far back as in August 2012, could not be denied.
In this light, the Bench directed Advocate Aggarwal to obtain instructions in the matter.
The matter will now be taken up on October 11.
Filed by one Akansha Mishra, a 27-year old woman, through Advocate Udit Gupta, the plea avers that Mishra enrolled as a beneficiary under the scheme on January 27, 2009. The scheme was applicable for her from February 1, 2009 till August 8, 2012, on attaining the age of majority.
Under the scheme, the Delhi Government provides financial assistance for empowerment of girl children born in Delhi. The maturity amount varies for each beneficiary depending upon the stage at which each girl enters the scheme and registers under it.
Akansha enrolled in the scheme at the stage of being admitted in Class IX and was thereby, entitled to the first assistance of Rs 5000. The contribution was made and an acknowledgment slip in lieu thereof, was issued showing the start of cover date to be February 1, 2009 and the maturity date of August 8, 2012.
In this regard, at the maturity, she was entitled to receive the first sum of Rs 5000 for taking admission in Class IX, second sum of Rs 5000 for taking admission in Class X and a further sum of Rs 5000 for taking admission in Class XII.
Upon maturity of the claim, she opened a Zero Balance Saving Account with the State Bank of India towards fulfillment of the condition for sanction of the maturity amount. The plea highlights that Akansha, along with her father, is running from pillar to post for last more than nine years and making repeated requests for grant of maturity claim in respect of the scheme, however, no response has been received till date.
The plea reads thus:
“No machinery of the state should be allowed to act unjustly and unfairly and in the prejudicial interest of their own persons. Grant of the rightful dues to the Petitioner without causing such harassment are inherit in and are part of the reasonableness of functioning of the state machinery.”
The Delhi Ladli Scheme, being a beneficial scheme, should be treated liberally and all the efforts should be made for its implementation to ensure that the benefits are extended to the beneficiaries, the plea adds further.