☀️ Schemes
Punjab sends ₹1,291 crore to 37.43 lakh women as Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana enters next phase
In 60 seconds: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the next phase of the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana at Abohar in Fazilka district on Sunday. He transferred ₹1,291 crore directly into the bank accounts of 37.43 lakh women across the state. As of 29 October, 80.05 lakh women had registered under the scheme, and the government says it aims to cover one crore women.
Why it matters
Direct cash for women is now one of the biggest kinds of state welfare spending in India. It puts money in women's own hands but also adds to the bills of states that are already in debt.
Explain it simply
Think of a household where the mother gets her own monthly allowance in her own account. She decides whether it goes on school fees, groceries or savings.
The 3-minute read
What happened
The money reached 37.43 lakh women in one go. AAP Punjab president Aman Arora and Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur were with the Chief Minister at the event.
Background
The Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana is the Punjab government's cash support scheme for women. With 80.05 lakh registrations so far, fewer than half of the registered women were covered in this payout.
How it works
The amount is sent through direct benefit transfer, which moves money straight from the government to the beneficiary's bank account without middlemen.
What's next
The government is working to reach its target of one crore women. Mann also listed other measures such as 300 units of free electricity and health cards.
What it means for you
Women in Punjab who have registered should check their bank accounts; those not yet covered remain part of the government's larger target.
Key numbers
- ₹1,291 crore: Transferred in this phase
- 37.43 lakh: Women who received money
- 80.05 lakh: Women registered by 29 Oct
- 1 crore: Target number of women
Both sides
- Punjab government: Mann presented the payout alongside free power, jobs for youth and health cards as his government's record.
- Critics on the ground: Some farmers heading to protest over paddy procurement deductions were detained, and the local MLA said he was not allowed to meet the CM.
Key terms explained
- Bank accounts
- Accounts into which the government sends scheme money directly, without cash handouts.
- Next phase
- A fresh round of payments under a scheme that is already running.
The story so far
- 29 Oct 2026: Registrations under the scheme reach 80.05 lakh women. By 29 October, 80.05 lakh women had registered under the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana. The state government says its target is to cover one crore women.
- 1 Nov 2026: CM Mann sends ₹1,291 crore to 37.43 lakh women at Abohar. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the next phase of the scheme in Abohar, with the money going directly into the women's bank accounts.
- Today: Punjab pays ₹1,291 crore to 37.43 lakh women in Abohar
Exam notes (UPSC, SSC, Banking, PSC)
- Article 15(3) allows the State to make special provisions for women and children.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) was launched by the Centre on 1 January 2013.
- Abohar is in Fazilka district of Punjab.
- Under Article 39(a), a Directive Principle, the State should secure an adequate means of livelihood for men and women equally.
Likely exam question: Unconditional cash transfers to women are spreading across Indian states. Examine their benefits and their impact on state finances.