Punjab Budget Includes Financial Aid for Women, SC Women Benefit More

Punjab Budget 2026: AAP Government Launches Monthly Cash Transfer Scheme for Women​

‘Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna’ Announced in Punjab Budget 2026-27​

Chandigarh, March 8: The Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab on Sunday announced a new financial assistance scheme for women, introducing a monthly cash transfer initiative aimed at supporting adult women across the state.

Presenting the Punjab Budget for 2026-27 in the Assembly, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the launch of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna, under which eligible women will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while women belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community will receive Rs 1,500 per month directly in their bank accounts.

The scheme fulfills a key promise made by the ruling party ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, when it pledged monthly financial assistance for women.

Direct Benefit Transfer to Women Across Punjab​

According to Cheema, the funds will be transferred directly to beneficiaries through bank accounts to ensure transparency and efficiency in implementation.

The scheme was announced nearly four years after the Bhagwant Mann-led government came to power in Punjab. The announcement also coincided with International Women's Day, and marked the first time the state budget was presented on a Sunday.

Cheema described the initiative as a universal cash transfer scheme for women, stating that it could be the first of its kind not only in India but globally.

Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme​

Under the scheme, every woman in Punjab aged above 18 years will be eligible to enroll, with certain exclusions.

Women who are existing or former permanent government employees, current or former MPs or MLAs, and income tax payers will not be eligible for the scheme.

The Finance Minister also clarified that women already receiving benefits under existing social security schemes will still qualify. These include:

• Old-age pension
• Widow or destitute women pension
• Disability pension schemes

Cheema said that around 97 percent of adult women in Punjab are expected to be eligible, which he described as the highest coverage for such a scheme in any Indian state.

Government Allocates Rs 9,300 Crore for Implementation​

To ensure smooth implementation of the initiative, the state government has allocated Rs 9,300 crore in the 2026-27 budget.

The government said the program aims to strengthen women’s financial independence, enhance their participation in household decision-making, and improve outcomes related to health, nutrition, and education.

The Finance Minister stated that the initiative reflects the government's approach that empowerment should translate into tangible financial security and dignity for women across Punjab.

Political Context Behind the Announcement​

The rollout of the scheme comes amid increasing criticism from opposition parties including the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP, which have been accusing the government of delaying implementation of its election promise.

Opposition leaders have also demanded that the government provide Rs 48,000 to each woman, representing the cumulative amount that would have been paid over the past four years if the scheme had started immediately after the 2022 elections.

Responding to such criticism, Cheema said the government intends to ensure that all eligible women across the state benefit from the scheme, rather than limiting it to smaller income groups.

He also said similar schemes announced in other states often cover only a small percentage of women due to strict income thresholds.

Focus on Financial Independence for Women​

The Finance Minister said the scheme is designed to provide women with greater financial freedom for their personal needs.

He added that the monthly assistance could help women manage various expenses, whether it is for educational materials, job preparation, leisure activities, or supporting family members.

With the introduction of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna, the Punjab government aims to expand financial support for women and increase their economic participation across the state.