Chandigarh, March 8: The Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party, has announced a significant initiative aimed at empowering women. This comes as part of the government’s commitment to fulfill a major electoral promise. Under the ‘Chief Minister Mawan Dhiyaan Satkar Scheme’, women from the general category will receive financial assistance of ₹1,000 per month, while women from Scheduled Castes will receive ₹1,500 monthly. Approximately 97% of adult women in the state are expected to benefit from this scheme.
This announcement was made by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema during the budget presentation in the Punjab Assembly on International Women’s Day. In his fifth budget speech, he revealed that a special provision of ₹9,300 crores has been allocated for the implementation of this scheme in the 2026-27 budget.
The total proposed budget expenditure for 2026-27 stands at ₹2,60,437 crores. Cheema emphasized that the government is focusing on both development and public welfare while maintaining a balanced financial position. The effective revenue deficit is projected to be 2.06% of the GSDP, with a fiscal deficit of 4.08%.
Cheema stated that these figures reflect the government’s commitment to responsible financial management, economic growth, and public welfare.
The atmosphere in the assembly was particularly special on International Women’s Day, with notable women present, including Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s mother, Harpal Kaur Mann, and the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission, Raj Lali Gill.
In his speech, Cheema highlighted that the Aam Aadmi Party government has progressively fulfilled its electoral guarantees in sectors such as electricity, health, education, and social security. He expressed pride in announcing what he termed the largest women’s empowerment scheme in India’s history on this significant day.
He reiterated Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s belief that a country’s progress is only possible when its women advance. The ‘Chief Minister Mawan Dhiyaan Satkar Scheme’ is being implemented with this vision.
Under this scheme, funds will be directly transferred to the bank accounts of all adult women in the state. General category women will receive ₹1,000 per month, while Scheduled Caste women will receive ₹1,500.
Cheema claimed this would be the world’s first universal cash transfer scheme covering nearly all adult women.
He noted that almost all women over 18 years of age will be eligible for the scheme, although certain categories will be excluded, such as current or former permanent government employees, current or former MPs and MLAs, and income tax payers.
Additionally, women already benefiting from any social security pension schemes, such as old-age pensions, widow pensions, or pensions for destitute women, will also be eligible for this new initiative.
The government believes this scheme will enhance women’s economic independence and strengthen their role in family decision-making. It is also expected to improve health and nutrition outcomes for women.
Cheema mentioned that this initiative would encourage girls’ education and support their aspirations. He emphasized that true empowerment comes when women have financial security and respect.
In his speech, Cheema also criticized other states for their limited implementation of similar schemes. He cited a neighboring state that restricted its scheme to families with an annual income of less than ₹1 lakh, benefiting only 20% of women.
He asserted that the Punjab government would not engage in such “jumlas.” Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is not just the leader for 20% of women but for every woman in Punjab. Therefore, the decision was made to include nearly all adult women in this scheme.
Cheema stated that no daughter should need to ask anyone for money to buy college books or pay for coaching for government job preparation.
He added, “Whether a daughter needs extra books for college, or a girl preparing for a government job needs coaching money, or a woman wants to go to the cinema, or a grandmother wants to buy a toy for her granddaughter, they will no longer need to ask anyone for money. Their son, Bhagwant Mann, will send ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 to their accounts every month.”
In addition to this financial support, the government will continue to provide free bus travel for women. This existing scheme has proven to be crucial for women’s mobility.
Cheema noted that in the past year alone, women have made approximately 12 crore free bus journeys under this scheme, highlighting its popularity and utility.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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