Khadur Sahib, October 1, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday announced the release of the second instalment of the Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, with Rs 1,262.54 crore being transferred directly into the bank accounts of 36.87 lakh women for October, November and December.
Addressing a gathering at Sri Goindwal Sahib in Khadur Sahib, Mann said eligible women were receiving three months’ assistance together, ranging from Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500. He said the government had earlier disbursed Rs 2,562.33 crore to 73.99 lakh women, taking the total assistance released under the scheme to Rs 3,824.87 crore.
Mann described the scheme as a step towards improving women’s financial independence, self-respect and dignity. He said around 97 per cent of women in Punjab would be eligible and that the government aimed to extend the benefits to one crore women. He added that there were no household-based restrictions, meaning every eligible woman in a family could receive the assistance.
The Chief Minister said 1.37 lakh Satkar Sakhis had contributed to registrations and had received more than Rs 51 crore in incentives. Anganwadi workers involved in facilitating registrations would also receive incentives amounting to Rs 25 crore, he said.
Mann said the scheme was being funded through public revenue, which he maintained should be spent on public welfare. He cited infrastructure projects, the laying of 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and the provision of more than 70,000 jobs as examples of his government’s spending priorities.
Referring to Punjab’s education sector, Mann claimed that the state had moved from 27th to first position in school education in a Centre-led assessment, surpassing Kerala. He also said the number of students from Punjab government schools qualifying for NEET had risen from 80 when his government took office to 882 this year, which he attributed to free coaching and other education initiatives.
The Chief Minister said the government had introduced smart classrooms, recruited non-teaching staff and provided training to teachers. He also announced plans to open additional centres for UPSC preparation to help students pursue careers in the civil services.
Mann said the government was providing 300 units of free electricity per month to eligible households and had purchased the Goindwal Sahib Thermal Power Plant for Rs 1,080 crore. He also highlighted daytime electricity for farmers and the expansion of canal water infrastructure, including the laying of 14,000 kilometres of pipelines.
Addressing the gathering at the historic site, Mann referred to the contributions of Guru Amar Das Ji and Mata Khivi Ji, including the strengthening of the institution of Langar. He said the location had been chosen for the scheme in recognition of its historical and religious significance.
The Chief Minister also criticised the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal, alleging that previous governments had failed to deliver the development Punjab needed. He claimed that if any of these parties returned to power, women’s monthly assistance, free bus travel for women and free electricity would be discontinued.
Mann also targeted opposition leaders, including Sukhbir Singh Badal and Congress leaders, over their political differences and leadership issues. He said the Aam Aadmi Party had created opportunities for people from ordinary families to enter politics. He further responded to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent speech in Jalandhar, alleging that Shah had targeted him throughout his address.
Mann said the state’s development work would gain further momentum between 2027 and 2032, as projects initiated during the current government’s tenure began to deliver results.
Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and other dignitaries were also present at the event.
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