Punjab transfers Rs 1,291 crore to 37.43 lakh women under Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna: CM Mann announces Jan 1 payout
Babushahi Bureau
Abohar (Punjab), November 1, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday announced that ₹1,291 crore in financial assistance had been transferred directly into the bank accounts of more than 37.43 lakh women under the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, as he addressed a gathering in Abohar.
Mann said the state government aimed to bring one crore women under the scheme, with 80.05 lakh registrations already completed as of October 29, 2026. He announced that the next instalment would be transferred on December 1, followed by a payment on January 1, when eligible beneficiaries would receive assistance for three months as a New Year gift.
Describing the initiative as a step towards women’s financial independence, the Chief Minister said the scheme was designed to provide financial assistance directly to women without restrictive household-based conditions. He said even if three eligible women belonged to the same family, all three could independently receive the benefit.
According to Mann, the government had previously distributed ₹2,643.71 crore to 76.35 lakh women. With Sunday’s transfer of ₹1,291 crore, the cumulative disbursement under the scheme has reached ₹3,934.80 crore.
He said the scheme was expected to involve an annual financial commitment of ₹12,000 crore and would cover one crore women once the target was achieved.
Addressing the gathering, Mann said the initiative was not merely a financial assistance programme but an effort to strengthen women’s self-respect, confidence and ability to make independent decisions.
He also highlighted the contribution of 1,37,723 Satkar Sakhis engaged in facilitating registrations. The government would provide them incentives worth ₹51.30 crore, while Anganwadi workers involved in the registration process would receive incentives amounting to ₹25 crore, he said.
Mann Highlights Government Welfare and Development Initiatives
The Chief Minister said his government was returning taxpayers’ money to the people through public welfare programmes and infrastructure development, including improvements in schools, hospitals, roads and canals.
Listing the government’s initiatives, he said more than 70,685 government jobs had been provided on merit, while 54 lakh health cards had been issued under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna. He also referred to Aam Aadmi Clinics and the provision of 300 units of free electricity every month to around 90 per cent of households in the state.
On education, Mann claimed that the number of government school students qualifying for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) had increased from 80 in 2021 to 882 in 2026. He attributed the improvement to teacher training programmes, Schools of Eminence and other education initiatives.
He further said that 3,100 sports stadiums were being constructed across Punjab to encourage young people to participate in sports and help steer them away from drugs.
Highlighting irrigation and infrastructure development, Mann said canal water had reached 1,587 villages that had not previously received it. He claimed that the area under canal irrigation had increased from 26 per cent to 80 per cent during his government’s tenure, with the irrigated area expanding from 20.89 lakh acres in 2022 to 60.30 lakh acres.
He added that the government had spent ₹7,200 crore on expanding canal irrigation and was undertaking renovation and upgradation of 45,000 kilometres of roads.
Chief Minister Targets Opposition Parties
During his address, Mann also criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal, Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing them of focusing on political power rather than public welfare.
Taking aim at the Congress, he alleged that internal differences within the party had weakened its organisational functioning. He also criticised the Akali Dal over its past governance and the handling of sacrilege-related incidents.
Referring to the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections, Mann expressed confidence that people would support the Aam Aadmi Party again, citing the government’s work in education, healthcare, employment and infrastructure.
He reiterated that the state government would continue to prioritise women’s empowerment, public welfare and development.