Chandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced the rollout of his govt’s much-awaited allowance for women, ‘Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna’, with registrations set to kick off on Wednesday and payments in July.The announcement came during a state-level function in Adampur, Jalandhar district, to mark the birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar. At the event, the CM also handed over registration certificates to three woman beneficiaries, including Harbhans Kaur, Diksha and Simran.Mann called the scheme a “true tribute” to Ambedkar’s vision of social justice and equality. The scheme offers monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 to women from the general category and Rs 1,500 to those from scheduled castes. Registrations will begin in nine constituencies on a pilot basis from Wednesday, and expand across the remaining 108 constituencies from May 15.The chief minister said there was no deadline for registration. The nine constituencies where the registrations will start from Wednesday include Adampur, Malout, Anandpur Sahib, Dirba, Sunam, Moga, Kotkapura, Batala and Patiala Rural. Mann said 26,000 registration centres and dedicated ‘Mahila Satkar Sakhis’ in every village and ward would provide door-to-door assistance, help beneficiaries complete documentation for registration and availing the benefit of the scheme. Mann called the scheme one of the most expansive direct financial support initiatives for women in the country. A sum of Rs 9,300 crore has been sanctioned for the scheme in the 2026-27 state budget. “This scheme adopts a near-universal eligibility framework, covering all women aged 18 years and above, subject only to limited exclusion criteria. The scheme is therefore expected to benefit more than 97% of the women, making it one of the most comprehensive women-centric social protection initiatives in the country,” the CM said.Mann said delayed registration would not affect benefits. He said even those women who register at the end of Sept will get full payment for July, Aug and Sept. “For registration, only three documents are required, Aadhaar with Punjab address, voter ID from Punjab and a bank passbook. In the case of SC women, an SC certificate is also required,” Mann said. “I know many of my SC sisters and mothers don’t have a certificate, but they don’t have to worry and just apply for their certificate.“Under the scheme, he said, the SC women can register without the SC certificates and start getting Rs 1,000 per month initially. The CM said the state govt will pay them the Rs 500 per month from July onwards once they submit the SC certificate. “To ensure that women face no hassle in travelling for registrations, Punjab govt will be allowing registration at more than 26,000 locations, including all anganwadi centres, sewa kendras and all municipal corporation/committee offices in urban areas,” the CM added.‘Cong, SAD neglected education’Launching a political attack, Mann accused Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) of neglecting the poor and denying education to weaker sections. “Keeping underprivileged communities uneducated was a deliberate political choice that crushed generations,” he said, adding that his govt was prioritising education and women’s empowerment in line with Ambedkar’s vision. He added, “No freebie or concession can eliminate poverty… education is the key that can pull people out of this vicious cycle,” while asserting that the AAP govt was working to ensure dignity and equal opportunity for all. BOXES To Be Expanded Across State In MayRegistrations start in nine assembly constituencies on a pilot basis from today The constituencies include Adampur, Malout, Anandpur Sahib, Dirba, Sunam, Moga, Kotkapura, Batala and Patiala RuralRegistrations will be expanded to remaining 108 constituencies from May 15Women need to submit Aadhaar with Punjab address, voter ID from Punjab and a bank passbook for the Rs 1,000 benefit. An SC certificate is required for a Rs 1,500 monthly payout Payments set to begin in July. There is no deadline for registration. Late applicants wil be paid arrears from July More than 26,000 centres have been earmarked for registration of beneficiaries. State govt has also planned door-to-door assistanceThe scheme is expected to benefit more than 97% of the women, making it one of the most comprehensive women-centric social protection initiatives in the countryBhagwant Mann | Punjab CM
