Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government's flagship 'Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana' on Wednesday in his Assembly constituency of Dhuri, Sangrur district. The event drew a large gathering, predominantly women from Dhuri and surrounding areas.
Scheme Details and First Instalment
Under the scheme, women beneficiaries from the general category will receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000, while those from the Scheduled Caste (SC) category will receive Rs 1,500 per month. The state government credited the first instalment, covering three months, directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts. General category women received Rs 3,000, and SC beneficiaries received Rs 4,500.
The AAP government claims that approximately 40 lakh women across Punjab have registered under the scheme, making it one of the largest direct benefit transfer initiatives for women in the state.
Launch Event and Attendees
The launch event in Dhuri was attended by senior AAP leaders, including former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, Punjab AAP in-charge Aman Arora, and Chief Minister Mann's wife, Gurpreet Kaur. Before the function, Mann and Gurpreet Kaur participated in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and completed their own enrolment process for the scheme.
Several women who received confirmation messages about the fund credit expressed happiness. Charanpreet Kaur from Dhuri showed the message on her phone, stating she was delighted to receive the financial assistance. Puja Singhal, a student from Dhuri, noted that the money would help meet additional educational expenses. Sarabjit Kaur, an elderly resident of Sangrur, highlighted that the assistance would strengthen women's financial independence. She remarked, “Like giving 'shagun' to grandchildren visiting the house, I often had to ask my husband and son for money. Now I will have funds of my own and can spend them as I wish.”
Political Developments
After the scheme launch, Mann attended a programme in Patran where SAD (Punar Surjit) leader Karan Singh DTO joined the Aam Aadmi Party. DTO was accompanied by his wife, former Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Varinder Kaur Loomba. Former Akali leader Surjit Singh Rakhra, who had earlier joined AAP, is believed to have played a key role in facilitating the couple's induction into the party.
The launch of the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana underscores the AAP government's focus on women's welfare and financial empowerment ahead of the upcoming elections.
