Dhuri, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday said his government was empowering women through financial assistance, self-help groups, employment opportunities and other welfare measures, while asserting that the state’s daughters were emerging as a strong force behind Punjab’s progress.
Addressing the ‘Teeyan Da Mela’ at Saffron Palms in Dhuri, Mann said more than 75 lakh women had been registered under the Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, under which eligible beneficiaries receive monthly assistance of ₹1,000 to ₹1,500.
He said 75.24 lakh women had already received the Samman Rashi and the remaining beneficiaries would soon receive the assistance. As of August 1, financial assistance of ₹2,274.42 crore had been directly transferred to eligible beneficiaries’ bank accounts, he said.
“Today, our daughters are excelling in every field and emerging not as ‘becharis’ but as ‘shernis’,” Mann said, emphasising that women should have a greater role in governance, the economy and politics.
The Chief Minister said around 29,000 Self-Help Groups had been formed during the past four years, connecting nearly three lakh women. Interest-free loans worth ₹631 crore had been provided to these groups to promote economic self-reliance. He also highlighted the provision of free travel for women in Punjab government buses.
Mann said nine of Punjab’s 23 districts currently have women Deputy Commissioners, while eight have women Senior Superintendents of Police. “This is the reflection of the fact that given a chance, girls can achieve any target in life,” he said.
Preserving Punjab’s cultural heritage
Mann described ‘Teeyan Da Mela’ as an important celebration of Punjab’s folk traditions, cultural heritage and folk songs.
He said traditional forms such as giddha, boliyan, phulkari, Punjabi attire and folk arts were integral to Punjab’s identity. Such events, he added, provide an opportunity to connect children and young people with their roots and pass the state’s cultural heritage to future generations.
“Teeyan symbolises joy, enthusiasm, togetherness and familial love in Punjabi culture,” Mann said, adding that preserving the Punjabi language, folk songs, dances, customs and traditions was essential in the digital age.
He called upon Punjabis to collectively build a ‘Rangla Punjab’ that leads in development while also setting an example in preserving and celebrating its cultural heritage.
Highlights government initiatives
The Chief Minister also highlighted several initiatives of the AAP government, saying the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna provides cashless treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family. More than three lakh patients have so far received cashless treatment worth ₹1,100 crore, he said.
He said 1,090 Aam Aadmi Clinics were operational across Punjab, recording around 92,000 patients daily and approximately six crore OPD visits so far.
On agriculture, Mann said canal water had reached 1,587 villages that had previously not received it. He said ₹7,200 crore had been spent to expand canal irrigation and claimed that the area receiving canal water had increased from 26 per cent to 80 per cent.
According to Mann, canal irrigation covered 20.89 lakh acres in 2022, compared with 60.30 lakh acres currently.
He also said around 45,000 km of roads were being renovated or upgraded and that around 90 per cent of households had been receiving free electricity and zero electricity bills since July 2022.
Mann said more than 69,000 government jobs had been provided to young people purely on merit.
The Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to peace, communal harmony and brotherhood in Punjab and said its focus remained on empowering youth through quality education and skills.
Cabinet Minister Dr Baljeet Kaur, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann and other dignitaries were present at the event.
FOLLOW NOW
