The Punjab government has decided to constitute a high-level implementation committee headed by the chief secretary to decide the framework of the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana and to take all necessary decisions for its smooth implementation. The scheme will provide ₹1,000 financial assistance to all eligible women above 18 years of age and ₹1,500 to women from Scheduled Castes.
The committee will comprise the principal secretary to chief minister or his representative, along with administrative secretaries of the departments of social security, women and child development, finance, and good governance and information technology. It will also include a representative of the Punjab Development Commission and director, social security, women and child development, according to a notification issued by the Punjab government. The social security, women and child development department will implement the scheme, with the department of good governance and IT providing the necessary technological support. Deputy commissioners will be responsible for the scheme’s smooth implementation at district level and ensure grievance redressal.
The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government had announced the cash transfer scheme in its 2026-27 Budget on March 8, coinciding with International Women’s Day, ahead of the state assembly elections due early next year. An outlay of ₹9,300 crore has been earmarked for the current fiscal year.
The budget marked the government’s last opportunity to deliver on its promised monthly financial aid for women. Ahead of the 2022 state assembly polls, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised ₹1,000 per month to every adult woman, if the party was voted to power.
{{/usCountry}}The budget marked the government’s last opportunity to deliver on its promised monthly financial aid for women. Ahead of the 2022 state assembly polls, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal had promised ₹1,000 per month to every adult woman, if the party was voted to power.
{{/usCountry}}Eligibility criteria for monthly dole
According to the notification, all women aged 18 and above who are registered voters and possess valid Aadhaar and Punjab voter ID will be eligible for financial assistance, with certain exceptions. Regular (permanent) or retired employees of the Punjab government or the central government or any other state/UT government in the country; regular or retired employees of PSUs, boards, corporations, commissions, cooperative institutions or tribunals who are eligible for or drawing pension; individuals who paid income tax of ₹1 or more in the last financial year; and serving or former ministers, MPs, and MLAs have been excluded from the scheme. Additionally, the spouse of a serving minister, MP or MLA will also not be eligible for the monthly financial assistance. “There shall be no restriction on the number of eligible women in a family. The existing social security pensioners shall also be entitled to avail the scheme in addition to the pension already being paid to them,” the notification states. In the event of a beneficiary’s death, no recovery will be made from her family. The frequency of disbursement will be decided by the implementation committee.
Registration at anganwadi centres, sewa kendras
The government has decided to make anganwadi centres and sewa kendras the primary centres for the registration of the eligible beneficiaries. The registration process, form designs and relevant guidelines to facilitate the registration will be decided by the chief secretary-led committee. “The government may deploy a network of women mobilisers who will conduct local awareness drives and support the eligible beneficiaries with opening of bank accounts, activating dormant bank accounts, Aadhaar seeding or any other support,” the notification said.
The documents needed to avail the scheme include Aadhaar card reflecting Punjab residency, voter ID card of Punjab, bank account passbook and caste certificate, wherever applicable.