Punjab launches Rs 1,000/month aid for women: 36 lakh get first instalment

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday launched the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojna, a monthly financial assistance scheme for women. In a coordinated effort involving multiple government departments and banks, the first instalment was transferred to nearly 36 lakh beneficiaries, according to government officials.

Speaking at the launch event in Dhuri, Mann said the scheme aims to strengthen women's financial autonomy and enhance their participation in social and economic decision-making. He described the day as historic for women's empowerment.

Under the scheme, women from the general category receive Rs 1,000 per month, while Scheduled Caste women receive Rs 1,500 per month. The government released three months' instalments together: general category women received Rs 3,000, and Scheduled Caste women received Rs 4,500.

Officials from the Social Security, Finance, and Good Governance and Information Technology departments worked through the night before the launch to synchronise the transfer of funds, ensuring that beneficiaries received SMS alerts from their banks while the Chief Minister was speaking. Around 1,500 women attending the launch event received bank messages during the ceremony.

The Department of Good Governance and Information Technology developed dedicated software for the scheme, and the beneficiary database maintained by the Social Security department was uploaded onto a platform for payment processing through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).

The Finance Department transferred around Rs 1,500 crore to the Social Security department two days before the launch. Sources said about Rs 1,400 crore was credited to beneficiaries on Wednesday. The government arranged funds by borrowing Rs 1,000 crore from the market and mobilising Rs 500 crore from GMADA funds and labour welfare cess.

Mann stated that women over 18 years of age would receive the 'Satkar Rashi' directly into their bank accounts and that those already receiving social security pensions would also be eligible. According to him, nearly 97 per cent of Punjab's women are expected to benefit, with Rs 9,300 crore earmarked in the state Budget for the scheme.

Taking a swipe at opposition parties, Mann said they had questioned the government's promise to implement the scheme. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia said the implementation demonstrated that the party honoured every promise made to the people.

Government sources said the coordination behind the launch aimed to maximise the impact of one of the AAP government's biggest welfare initiatives ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections. They noted the timing holds political significance as the government seeks to regain the narrative after recent challenges, including the Akal Takht's censure of the Chief Minister over a controversial video. Officials also pointed to Mann's decision to launch the scheme from his own constituency.