India Explained

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Punjab's Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana cash transfers to women

Punjab began monthly cash transfers of Rs 1,000 (Rs 1,500 for Scheduled Caste women) from 1 July 2026; the first instalment reached nearly 33 lakh women, and later payments and costs are still being reported.

UnsettledSocial Welfare & Inclusion

Known so far

  • Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann launched the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana (also spelt Maavan Dheeyan) at Dhuri; the Rs 1,000 monthly benefit for eligible women and Rs 1,500 for eligible Scheduled Caste women runs from 1 July 2026 [1].
  • On 1 July 2026 the first instalment was credited as three months' payment together: Rs 3,000 for general beneficiaries and Rs 4,500 for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries [1].
  • A report dated 15 July 2026 states the first Direct Benefit Transfer release was Rs 1,147 crore to nearly 33 lakh women who had registered by 25 June 2026, and that more than 66 lakh women had enrolled [2].
  • Women already receiving widow, disability or old-age pensions continue to receive them separately, since the scheme does not replace them [2].
  • Women who register later receive benefits from 1 July 2026, subject to eligibility [1].
  • Chief Minister Mann described the scheme as fulfilling the last major promise made by the Aam Aadmi Party before the 2022 Assembly election [1].

Not yet known

  • The scheme's total annual cost and how it will be financed; no official figure was located.
  • The full eligibility criteria; the sources consulted refer only to 'eligible women'.
  • Cumulative disbursement to date: later press reports give differing totals that could not be reconciled with official data.
  • Whether any payment will be made for periods before 1 July 2026.
  • The positions of opposition parties and of independent fiscal analysts; the sources consulted report only the state government's announcements.

This item records status as of 12 October 2026 and relies on press reports of the state government’s announcements; an official order or budget document should replace them when located.

Sources

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