Aims to cover one crore women; 80.05 lakh registrations completed so far

CM announces January 1 payment as New Year gift; says scheme will strengthen women’s financial independence and self-respect

Abohar, 01 November (H.S.): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that ₹1,291 crore in financial assistance under the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna had been transferred directly into the bank accounts of more than 37.43 lakh women across the state. Addressing a massive gathering in Abohar, he described the initiative as a social revolution aimed at strengthening women’s financial independence, dignity and self-respect.

The Chief Minister said the government aimed to bring one crore women under the scheme, adding that 80.05 lakh women had registered by October 29, 2026. He announced that all registered beneficiaries would receive their payments together on January 1 as a New Year gift. He also said the next instalment would be credited on December 1.

Mann said the scheme was not merely a financial assistance programme but an initiative to enable women to make independent decisions and lead lives with dignity. He clarified that there were no restrictive household-based conditions and every eligible woman could receive the benefit independently, even if several eligible beneficiaries belonged to the same family.

He said the government had already distributed ₹2,643.71 crore to 76.35 lakh women. With the latest transfer, the total assistance had reached ₹3,934.80 crore. The scheme is expected to provide financial assistance worth ₹12,000 crore annually when fully implemented.

Appreciating the grassroots workforce, Mann said 1,37,723 Satkar Sakhis were facilitating registrations. Incentives worth ₹51.30 crore would be provided to them, while Anganwadi workers involved in the registration process would receive incentives amounting to ₹25 crore.

Taking aim at opposition parties, the Chief Minister accused the Akali Dal, Congress and BJP of focusing on political power rather than public welfare. He said the AAP government was providing benefits to eligible women without political discrimination.

Highlighting other initiatives, Mann said the government had provided 70,685 government jobs strictly on merit, issued 54 lakh health cards, established Aam Aadmi Clinics and ensured 300 units of free electricity per month to around 90 per cent of households. He also highlighted the construction of 3,100 sports stadiums to encourage youth to stay away from drugs.

On education, he claimed that the number of government school students clearing NEET had increased from 80 in 2021 to 882 in 2026. He also said canal irrigation had expanded significantly, with water reaching 1,587 villages that had never received canal water earlier. According to him, the area under canal irrigation had increased from 26 per cent to 80 per cent, covering 60.30 lakh acres.

Mann said public money was being utilised for schools, hospitals, roads, healthcare and other development works, reiterating his government's commitment to women's empowerment and the overall progress of Punjab.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH