Punjab Cabinet Greenlights Major Cash Assistance Scheme for Women
The Punjab cabinet, in a significant move on Sunday, gave its official approval to the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, paving the way for the launch of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's long-anticipated cash assistance program for women across the state. This initiative is set to provide monthly financial support, with women receiving Rs 1,000 and women from the Scheduled Castes category getting Rs 1,500, aiming to cover over 97% of the female population in Punjab.
Financial Provisions and Implementation Details
A substantial provision of Rs 9,300 crore has been allocated for the scheme in the 2026–27 budget, which was presented in the Assembly on March 8. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that registrations will commence on Baisakhi, April 13, marking a key milestone in the rollout. The scheme will be implemented through direct benefit transfer (DBT), ensuring that funds are deposited directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries, thereby enhancing transparency and efficiency.
Eligibility criteria require women to be aged 18 years and above, registered as voters in Punjab, and possess a valid Aadhaar card reflecting Punjab residency along with a valid voter ID card. Importantly, there is no cap on the number of eligible women per family who can avail the benefit, and women already receiving social security pensions will continue to get those payments in addition to this new assistance.
Broader Impact and Government Vision
In a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), the scheme is described as a transformative measure to promote women's financial independence and strengthen their role in household and social decision-making. It is hailed as one of the most comprehensive women-centric social protection initiatives in the country, reflecting the government's commitment to gender empowerment and economic inclusion.
Additional Cabinet Decisions
Beyond the women's assistance scheme, the Punjab cabinet approved several other key decisions aimed at infrastructure and administrative improvements:
- Sutlej Desilting for Highway Projects: Relaxation in conditions for desilting in the Sutlej to provide ordinary earth to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for highway construction, as part of river management and flood mitigation efforts.
- 70 Planning Department Posts: Approval to fill 70 direct recruitment posts in the planning department following the proposed merger of the Economic Policy and Planning Board with the Directorate of Statistics, Punjab.
- Power Utility Top Posts: Amendments to qualification and experience norms for appointing chairman-cum-managing directors and directors in PSPCL and PSTCL.
- Pachhwara Coal Mine Staffing: Permission for PSPCL to hire statutory manpower and support staff on contract for the operation and maintenance of the Pachhwara Central Coal Mine in Pakur, Jharkhand, overseen by an empowered committee.
- Industrial Plots to Freehold: Amendments to the policy for converting leasehold industrial plots/sheds to freehold, including eligibility for mortgaged plots subject to NOC from banks and safeguards.
- Industrial Infrastructure Law Amendment: Clearance for the Punjab Common Infrastructure (Regulation and Maintenance) (Amendment) Bill, 2026, aimed at improving regulation, maintenance, and financial sustainability of industrial areas through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
- SPVs for Industrial Areas: Creation of SPVs in all industrial areas for maintaining shared infrastructure like roads, lights, drainage, and parks on a no-profit, no-loss basis, with a district monitoring authority for oversight and dispute resolution.
These decisions underscore the government's multifaceted approach to enhancing public welfare, economic development, and administrative efficiency in Punjab.
