2 November 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday, November 1, transferred ₹1,291 crore directly into the bank accounts of 37.43 lakh women across the state under the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojana. The financial assistance was released during a state-level programme held in Abohar, Fazilka district, as the Punjab government continues to expand the coverage of its women-focused welfare scheme.
Addressing a large gathering, Mann said the initiative aims to provide financial support to women and strengthen their economic independence. He reiterated that the government’s target is to bring one crore women under the scheme, adding that more than 80 lakh registrations had already been completed by October 29, 2026.
The programme was attended by AAP Punjab president Aman Arora and Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur, among other party leaders and officials.
₹1,291 Crore Transferred to 37.43 Lakh Women
According to the figures shared by the Chief Minister, ₹1,291 crore was transferred directly to the bank accounts of 37.43 lakh beneficiaries in the latest disbursement.
Before Sunday’s transfer, the government had distributed ₹2,643.71 crore among 76.35 lakh women under the scheme. With the latest payment, the total financial assistance released has reached ₹3,934.80 crore.
Mann said the scheme was designed to ensure that eligible women receive financial assistance directly, allowing them to make independent decisions and meet their household and personal needs.
He described the initiative as a social effort aimed at strengthening the confidence, dignity and financial freedom of women across Punjab.
What Is the Monthly Financial Assistance?
Under the Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojana, eligible women from the general category receive ₹1,000 per month, while eligible women belonging to the Scheduled Caste category receive ₹1,500 per month.
The scheme does not impose a household-based restriction, according to the Chief Minister. This means that if multiple women in a family meet the eligibility requirements, each can independently receive the financial assistance.
The government has set a target of covering one crore women. Mann said that as of October 29, more than 80.05 lakh women had registered under the scheme.
At full coverage, the initiative is expected to involve an annual financial outlay of approximately ₹12,000 crore.
Next Instalments Scheduled for December and January
During the Abohar programme, Mann also shared details about the upcoming payments. He said the next instalment would be released on December 1, followed by another payment on January 1.
The January payment is expected to cover three months of financial assistance for eligible beneficiaries. The Chief Minister described it as a New Year gift for women registered under the scheme.
The government is also working to increase registrations and bring more eligible women within the programme’s coverage.
Satkar Sakhis and Anganwadi Workers to Receive Incentives
Mann acknowledged the contribution of women working at the grassroots level to facilitate registrations under the scheme.
According to the figures shared by him, around 1,37,723 Satkar Sakhis are involved in helping women complete the registration process. The government has announced incentives worth ₹51.30 crore for these workers.
Anganwadi workers who have assisted with registrations will also receive incentives amounting to ₹25 crore.
The Chief Minister said the government wanted to recognise the efforts of those helping implement the welfare initiative at the local level.
Mann Highlights Government’s Welfare Initiatives
Apart from the women’s financial assistance scheme, Mann highlighted several initiatives of the Punjab government during his address.
He said more than 70,685 government jobs had been provided on merit and claimed that the recruitment process had been conducted without bribery or political recommendations.
The Chief Minister also referred to the government’s free electricity provision, saying more than 90 per cent of households were receiving up to 300 units of free electricity every month. He further cited the issuance of 54 lakh health cards under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana.
On irrigation, Mann said canal water coverage had expanded significantly under his government. He stated that canal water had reached 1,587 villages that previously lacked access to the facility. He also referred to road renovation projects and the development of sports infrastructure across the state.
These figures and achievements were presented by the Chief Minister while addressing the gathering.
Abohar Programme Also Witnesses Farmers’ Protest
The Chief Minister’s visit to Abohar also took place amid concerns raised by farmers over deductions during paddy procurement.
According to reports, several farmers were detained while they were travelling towards the programme venue to stage a protest. Gunwant Singh Sandhu, general secretary of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Khosa), alleged that farmers were facing deductions of five to eight kilograms per quintal in grain markets over moisture content and quality-related issues.
The farmers reportedly wanted to bring these concerns to the Chief Minister’s attention.
Abohar MLA Sandeep Jakhar also alleged that he was prevented from meeting Mann during the visit. He said he wanted to raise grievances concerning the family of Ajay Kumar, a youth who was killed, and seek justice for them.
Government Aims to Expand Women’s Financial Support
The latest transfer marks another major disbursement under the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojana. With more than 80 lakh registrations reported by the government, the programme is moving towards its stated target of covering one crore women.
The upcoming instalments on December 1 and January 1 will be important milestones in the payment schedule. The scheme’s expansion, the number of registered beneficiaries and the scale of direct financial transfers are expected to remain central issues in Punjab’s welfare and political discussions in the months ahead.