Punjab disburses Rs 1,149 crore to 33 lakh women under monthly financial aid scheme
The Punjab government has disbursed Rs 1,149 crore to around 33 lakh women through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system under the Mukh Mantri Mawan
The Punjab government has disbursed Rs 1,149 crore to around 33 lakh women through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system under the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana, a monthly financial assistance scheme aimed at providing social security and financial support to women across the state. Under the scheme, eligible women belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category receive Rs 1,500 per month, while beneficiaries from other categories receive Rs 1,000 per month. According to the government, SC beneficiaries have so far received Rs 4,500 each in three monthly installments, while women from other categories have received Rs 3,000 each in three installments through direct credit into their bank accounts.
Read Full Story The government said more than 70 lakh women have enrolled under the scheme, making it one of Punjab's largest women-centric social security initiatives. Several beneficiaries said the DBT mechanism had ensured that the money reached the intended recipients without delays or intermediaries. Sarabjit Kaur, a beneficiary from Gurdaspur, said receiving the assistance directly in her bank account ensured the money remained available for household needs. "If the money had been distributed in cash, it might not have been used for the intended purpose. Now it remains in my account and I can withdraw it whenever I need it," she said.
Gagandeep Kaur from Harchowal said the amount was credited to her account within five to six days of submitting her application. She described the process as quick, transparent and hassle-free, adding that direct transfers had eliminated the need to stand in queues to collect cash. Suman Kumari of Sri Hargobindpur said the financial assistance had helped her family meet household and educational expenses, while Harpal Kaur of Ahmedgarh said the direct transfer enabled women to decide how and when to use the funds. Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Baljit Kaur said the scheme was launched to provide financial security and dignity to women and that the government was committed to ensuring every eligible beneficiary received assistance in a transparent and timely manner.
The DBT rollout has been supported by Axis Bank, the scheme's nodal banking partner. Reynold D'Souza, Group Head – Branch Banking, North and TASC Business, said the bank remained committed to facilitating timely and transparent transfer of benefits across the state. The government said the direct transfer mechanism has strengthened women's financial independence by placing financial assistance directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries. Ends
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