New Delhi, March 2 President Droupadi Murmu launched the Pink National Common Mobility Card and three other women-centric welfare schemes of the Delhi government on Monday.
Addressing the gathering at the "Sashakt Nari, Samriddh Delhi" programme, Murmu said initiatives such as free bus travel and integrated transport access would strengthen women's independence and safety.
At the event held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, the President also launched a scheme providing two free LPG cylinders annually to ration card-holding families on Holi and Diwali.
The Rs 129-crore benefit will be transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer, the statement said.
She further launched the Delhi Lakhpati Bitiya Yojana and the "Meri Poonji, Mera Adhikar" initiative.
Murmu said empowered women, with the freedom to make decisions, can change the direction of society and the nation.
Emphasizing collective responsibility, the President said women's empowerment is not just the government's duty, and society must also play its role.
The schemes launched today will empower women to realize the vision of a prosperous Delhi, she added.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that the launch of the schemes is an integrated framework towards women's safety and independence.
"Our women-centric government, through these four schemes, provides safety starting from the birth of a girl child, investment in their education, transportation independence, and relief in the kitchen," Gupta said.
Talking about the scheme, the chief minister said, "In the previous government scheme for free travel for women in buses, there were many leakages and scope for corruption. Our Saheli Pink Smart Card is not just a travel card but a 'dignity card' for women of Delhi."
Women's empowerment is not just a policy but a national resolution now. They should also be part of the workforce, Gupta added.