Punjab launches financial aid scheme for women

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday rolled out his government’s monthly financial assistance scheme for women — ‘Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojna’, stating that AAP fulfilled its final poll “guarantee” made ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.

Under the scheme, women from the general category will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while those belonging to the Scheduled Castes will receive Rs 1,500. Addressing a gathering of women, Mann described the day as “historic” and said the state government rolled out this “landmark” initiative under which more than 40 lakh women have already been registered.

“The ‘Satkar Raashi’ has started from July and it will pave the way for women's empowerment. This is an ambitious scheme and we have launched it with complete planning to ensure that it continues permanently,” he said. Some women at the gathering said they received messages about money being credited to their bank accounts.

Mann said beneficiaries above the age of 18 would receive messages regarding the financial assistance.

“The funds will be directly transferred to bank accounts and women who are already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible under the scheme. Around 97 per cent of women in Punjab are expected to benefit and the state government has earmarked Rs 9,300 crore in the budget for this purpose,” he said.

Taking on the rival parties, Mann slammed the opposition for “always targeting” his government over this scheme and said now their mouths will be shut following the implementation of ‘Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojna’.

Mann said although the financial assistance may not make women rich, it would certainly provide them with dignity and self-respect.

“Women deserve the highest respect because they are the source of life itself. The blessings of our mothers and sisters can help us overcome every challenge in the world. 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,” he said.

He assured beneficiaries that the scheme will never stop because it is an act of trust reposed in the people.

“Mobile phones of women will start beeping with notifications, ushering in a new era of prosperity where women live with dignity and pride,” he stated.

Tax collected from the people belongs to them and the government is spending it judiciously for their welfare, he said.

“People’s money is coming back to the people through development, schools, hospitals and roads. The state government is working only for the people,” he said.

The first instalment of Rs 4,500 for the Scheduled Castes and Rs 3,000 for the general category women was transferred to the bank accounts of beneficiaries on Wednesday.

AAP delayed women’s aid in Punjab for years, now acting ahead of polls: BJP

Chandigarh: Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of rolling out the financial assistance scheme for women now for political mileage, even though it was a poll promise made years ago. Dhillon alleged that the government had not released any money to eligible women for over four-and-a-half years and was now announcing payments with an eye on the elections due next year.

He claimed eligible women should have received between Rs 60,000 and Rs 90,000 over the five-year term, but the government was releasing only a limited amount.

The BJP leader alleged that the government had earlier said it would release payments for April, May and June, but had instead announced payments for July, August and September.

He also accused the AAP government of ignoring key public issues, alleging that farmers were facing power shortages during the paddy transplantation season and government employees were protesting over pending demands, including dearness allowance (DA).

Dhillon further criticised the government over the proposed sacrilege prevention law and a recent controversial video involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing it of trying to divert attention from its failures.

He said the people of Punjab would give a befitting response to the AAP government in the 2027 Assembly elections.