Khadoor Sahib, 01 October (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday released the next three-month instalment under the ‘Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna’ during a state-level function at Sri Goindwal Sahib, saying the scheme was aimed at strengthening the financial independence and dignity of women.

Under the scheme, around 36.87 lakh beneficiaries are receiving assistance for October, November and December. Eligible women in the general category are being given ₹3,000 for the three-month period, while eligible Scheduled Caste women are receiving ₹4,500. The government said about ₹1,262.54 crore was being transferred directly into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.

Addressing the gathering, Mann said the state government was using public money for welfare schemes and described the direct-transfer notifications received by women on their mobile phones as a visible sign of the programme’s implementation.

The Chief Minister said the government had earlier transferred ₹2,562.33 crore as financial assistance under the scheme and claimed that, with the latest disbursement, the cumulative amount transferred to women would reach ₹3,824.87 crore.

Mann described the initiative as a step towards improving women’s self-confidence, dignity and economic independence. He said more than one eligible woman from the same family could receive assistance under the scheme and highlighted the role of ‘Satkar Sakhis’ and Anganwadi workers in helping women complete registration.

During his address, Mann also highlighted his government’s initiatives in education, employment, free electricity, irrigation and public infrastructure. He said canal water was being taken to agricultural fields and claimed that around 14,000 kilometres of pipelines had been laid to improve irrigation facilities.

The Chief Minister also used the occasion to target the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal. He claimed that welfare measures such as financial assistance for women, free bus travel and free electricity could be affected if opposition parties came to power. These were political claims made by Mann during his speech.

Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s Jalandhar rally a day earlier, Mann said the Home Minister had repeatedly targeted him and defended his government’s performance.

Mann also spoke about education reforms and said his government would open additional centres to help Punjab students prepare for UPSC examinations. Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and other leaders and officials were also present at the programme.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH