CHANDIGARH, MARCH 30 — Gender equity, the Punjab Council of Ministers chaired by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday cleared the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna to provide direct economic support to women across the state. The scheme provides a monthly cash benefit of ₹1,500 for women from Scheduled Castes and ₹1,000 for others, reaching an estimated 97% of the female demographic in Punjab.
The Chief Minister’s Office asserted that strengthening women’s financial autonomy is essential for improving household welfare and enhancing participation in social decision-making. The administration noted that while the state has progressed in human development indicators, many women in economically vulnerable households still lack independent security. The scheme reflects a vision where empowerment translates into tangible financial independence, the office added.
Funds totaling ₹9,300 crore have been sanctioned for the upcoming financial year to support the Direct Benefit Transfer rollout. Beneficiaries must be at least 18 years old and hold a valid Punjab Voter ID and Aadhaar card. The cabinet clarified that current social security pensioners will continue to receive their full benefits alongside this new stipend, ensuring a wider safety net for the elderly and vulnerable.
Beyond social welfare, the cabinet meeting addressed infrastructure and industrial reforms. Ministers approved the Punjab Common Infrastructure (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which creates Special Purpose Vehicles to manage industrial areas on a no-profit, no-loss basis. Additionally, the government declared a policy shift allowing leasehold industrial plots mortgaged with banks to be converted to freehold status. The meeting concluded with approval for appointing statutory staff at the Pachhwara Central Coal Mine in Jharkhand to ensure consistent operations for the state’s power sector.
