Pathankot, 01 August (H.S.): Punjab Government on Saturday transferred financial assistance to 35.5 lakh women under the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, taking the total number of beneficiaries covered so far to 68.5 lakh.

Addressing a financial assistance distribution function in Pathankot, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said eligible women across Punjab were receiving three months’ instalments together. Women in the general category were being given ₹3,000, while Scheduled Caste beneficiaries were receiving ₹4,500 for July, August and September.

The Chief Minister said women already receiving widow, disability and old-age pensions would also get an additional amount of ₹1,000 or ₹1,500 under the scheme. He added that five lakh more women had registered during the past seven days, taking total registrations to 73.5 lakh. Registration for eligible beneficiaries would continue across the state.

Mann said the government had transferred assistance to 33 lakh women on July 1 and credited the accounts of another 35.5 lakh women on Saturday. Women who submitted their forms later would also receive the instalments with effect from July 1, 2026.

“This is the rightful entitlement of the mothers and sisters of Punjab. They should not have to depend on anyone to meet their personal needs or those of their children,” the Chief Minister said.

He stated that beneficiaries had already started receiving mobile notifications confirming the transfer of funds into their bank accounts. The money was being transferred directly to ensure transparency and prevent delays.

Mann said beneficiaries were free to use the assistance according to their needs, including paying fees, purchasing household items, buying toys for grandchildren or giving ceremonial gifts. He said the scheme was intended to provide women with dignity, self-respect and financial independence.

According to the Chief Minister, nearly 97 per cent of women in Punjab were expected to benefit from the programme. The state government had allocated ₹9,300 crore in the budget for its implementation.

He said greater financial autonomy for women would improve household welfare, promote gender equality and strengthen their participation in social and economic decision-making.

Senior Aam Aadmi Party leader and Punjab in-charge Manish Sisodia praised the initiative and said the Chief Minister was fulfilling the promises made to the people of Punjab. Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora, Dr Baljit Kaur and Lal Chand Kataruchak, along with other senior leaders and officials, were also present at the function.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH