CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Cabinet led by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday took several key decisions, including paving the way for the launch of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna across Punjab, ensuring a monthly financial assistance of ₹1000 to all other women and ₹1500 to women from Scheduled Castes, benefiting more than 97% of women in Punjab. The decision was taken in a meeting of the Council of Ministers chaired by the Chief Minister.
Disclosing this, the Chief Minister’s Office said, “Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna (State Scheme) will be launched in the State. The Scheme makes a provision of a cash benefit of ₹1000 per month to all other women and ₹1500 per month to women from Scheduled Castes. This scheme will have a monumental effect on the upliftment of women by making them independent and empowering them. It will give them choice and, clubbed with financial literacy, it will promote savings, thrift and investment and will enable dignity in fulfilling their small desires.”
It further said, “Punjab has already made considerable progress in social welfare and human development indicators; however, a large number of women across the state, particularly those belonging to economically vulnerable households, continue to lack independent financial security. Strengthening women’s financial autonomy is essential for improving household welfare, promoting gender equity, and enhancing women’s participation in social and economic decision-making.”
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, the CM Office added, “The scheme is expected to benefit more than 97% of women, making it one of the most comprehensive women-centric social protection initiatives in the country. The scheme represents a landmark step towards ensuring direct economic support to women across the state and reflects the Government’s vision that women’s empowerment must translate into tangible financial independence.”
The scheme has been designed as a Direct Benefit Transfer initiative, under which financial assistance will be transferred directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. There will be no restriction on the number of eligible women in a family who may avail benefits under the scheme, and existing social security pensioners will also continue to receive full financial benefits under this scheme in addition to their pensions, significantly enhancing its reach and impact.
Women aged 18 years or above, registered as a voter in Punjab and possessing a valid Aadhaar card reflecting Punjab residency along with a valid Voter ID issued by the Election Commission of India, shall be eligible to be enrolled as a beneficiary under the scheme.