Khandoor Sahib, Punjab: The Punjab government has transferred ₹1,262.54 crore directly into the bank accounts of 36.87 lakh women as the second instalment of the state’s flagship Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Thursday.
Payments cover three months
Addressing a function at Khandoor Sahib, Mann said the latest disbursement covers the three months of October, November and December and that each beneficiary would receive the three-month amount together. He added that earlier disbursements of the scheme had reached ₹2,562.33 crore distributed among 73.99 lakh women, taking the cumulative amount transferred under the programme to ₹3,824.87 crore.
“There were no conditions limiting the number of eligible women in a household,” Mann said, noting that if three women in a family qualified, all three would receive assistance.
Coverage and targets
Mann said the government estimates that around 97 per cent of women in Punjab would be eligible for the scheme, and that the administration has set a target to extend benefits to one crore women. The chief minister highlighted the role of field workers and volunteers in enrolling beneficiaries.
According to the state government figures released at the event, 1.37 lakh Satkar Sakhis have helped register women under the scheme and have together received incentives exceeding ₹51 crore. Anganwadi workers who facilitated registrations were reported to have been given incentives totalling ₹25 crore.
Scheme mechanics and local impact
The Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna is a direct-cash transfer programme aimed at providing regular financial support to women across rural and urban areas. Direct transfers into beneficiaries’ bank accounts reduce dependence on intermediaries and speed up delivery, particularly important in farming districts where seasonal incomes fluctuate.
Local panchayats and anganwadi centres have been instrumental in identifying eligible women and assisting with the documentation required for transfers. Administrators said the absence of household limits means extended families with multiple eligible women stand to receive significant collective support, which could bolster household spending on health, nutrition and education.
Political context
Mann used the occasion to criticise opposition parties, asserting that programmes such as the Satkar Yojna, free bus travel for women and free electricity would be discontinued if the Congress, BJP or Shiromani Akali Dal returned to power. He also said the state government’s performance since 2022 had improved outcomes in education and medical education, claiming Punjab had moved from 27th to first position in the Centre’s school education assessment.
Key figures at a glance
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Latest instalment | ₹1,262.54 crore |
| Beneficiaries (latest) | 36.87 lakh |
| Previously disbursed | ₹2,562.33 crore to 73.99 lakh women |
| Total transferred so far | ₹3,824.87 crore |
Practical notes for beneficiaries
- Beneficiaries should check their registered bank accounts and passbooks for credit entries corresponding to the October–December instalment.
- Women who believe they are eligible but have not been credited should approach local Satkar Sakhis, anganwadi centres or the nearest block development office with identity and bank details.
- Satellite camps and mobile registration drives are being run in some districts to assist those with limited digital access; details are available from district welfare offices.
The scheme remains a central plank of the state government’s social-welfare agenda. Officials said efforts will continue to broaden outreach, especially in remote villages and among economically marginalised households, as the administration seeks to achieve its target of covering one crore women across Punjab.
(Gurpreet Kaur is the Punjab correspondent covering rural affairs and public policy.)
