The Punjab government's flagship Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana officially launched on Wednesday, with over 2.34 lakh women in Jalandhar district receiving the first installment of financial assistance directly into their bank accounts. A total of ₹88 crore was credited to beneficiaries, covering three months of aid under the scheme.
Registration and Beneficiary Details
Jalandhar district has 3,27,756 registered beneficiaries under the scheme, but payments were released to 2,34,701 women who completed registration by June 25. Among those who received the first installment, approximately 1.17 lakh belong to the general category and an equal number to the Scheduled Caste (SC) category. District authorities confirmed that ₹52.81 crore was disbursed to general category beneficiaries and ₹35.20 crore to SC beneficiaries.
Scheme Expansion and Registration Status
The scheme was initially launched as a pilot in nine Assembly constituencies across Punjab, including Adampur. Subsequently, four more constituencies in Jalandhar district were added, with the remaining segments included about a fortnight ago. Out of over 10 lakh female voters in the district, only a little over 3 lakh have registered so far. District officials stated that registrations are ongoing.
Officials Comment on Registration Pace
District Programme Officer Gulbahar Singh noted that heavy traffic on the online portal had slowed registrations but expected improvement. "Since the scheme has just started, registrations are gradually picking up. There was significant traffic on the portal. As the process progresses, many more women are expected to join. The remaining beneficiaries will also receive the amount soon," he said.
Financial Assistance Amounts
Under the scheme, eligible women aged 18 years and above from the general category receive ₹1,000 per month, while Scheduled Caste women receive ₹1,500 per month. The first installment covered three months of assistance.
Political Reaction
AAP leader Pawan Tinu hailed the launch as a landmark step toward women's financial empowerment. "This is a pioneering initiative that will strengthen the economic independence of women. For beneficiaries from poor households, even ₹1,000 a month makes a meaningful difference. Those dismissing it as a freebie fail to understand its significance for women struggling to make ends meet," he said.
Launch Event
The launch was marked by meetings and gatherings across the district, where party workers and beneficiaries watched a live telecast of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann disbursing benefits to women at a state-level event in Dhuri.
