Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Punjab Expands Women’s Aid, Loans and Public Representation
Punjab is giving monthly financial help to more than 75 lakh women.
Most eligible women receive Rs 1,000 each month, while women from Scheduled Castes receive Rs 1,500.
The government says the money is meant to support women’s dignity and independence.
Women can also receive interest-free loans through self-help groups.
About 3 lakh women have received these loans so far.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said women should have more chances to help run the economy and government.
He also pointed to women serving as deputy commissioners and senior superintendents of police.
The announcements were made during a women’s cultural festival in Dhuri.
Punjab also plans to spend Rs 100 crore on celebrations for Guru Ravidas’s 650th Parkash Purab.
More than 75 lakh women are receiving monthly assistance under the Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana.
The scheme provides Rs 1,000 monthly to general-category women and Rs 1,500 to women from Scheduled Castes.
Around 3 lakh women from 29,000 self-help groups have received Rs 631 crore in interest-free loans.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said women’s participation in Punjab’s economy, politics and governance is essential for the state’s development.
Punjab has allocated Rs 100 crore for celebrations marking the 650th Parkash Purab of Guru Ravidas.
- Who
- The Punjab government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, with women beneficiaries and self-help groups.
- What
- Punjab highlighted monthly welfare payments, interest-free loans for women’s self-help groups and increased representation of women in administration.
- When
- The announcements were made at events reported on August 19, 2026; the loan support has been provided over the past few years.
- Where
- The main announcement was made at the Teeyan Da Mela in Dhuri, Punjab; a separate Guru Ravidas event took place in Sangrur.
- Why
- The government says the measures are intended to promote women’s dignity, economic independence and participation in Punjab’s development.
- Monthly assistance
- More than 75 lakh women are receiving between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500 per month.
- Scheduled Caste payment
- Women from Scheduled Castes receive Rs 1,500 monthly; general-category women receive Rs 1,000.
- Loan support
- About 3 lakh women linked to 29,000 self-help groups have received Rs 631 crore in interest-free loans.
- Scheme eligibility
- Applicants must be at least 18, registered voters in Punjab, and have Aadhaar showing Punjab residency and a valid Voter ID.
- Administrative representation
- Nine of Punjab’s 23 districts have women deputy commissioners, while eight have women senior superintendents of police.
- Parkash Purab allocation
- Punjab has earmarked Rs 100 crore for celebrations of Guru Ravidas’s 650th Parkash Purab.
- Registration
- The government says there is no last date for registration and late joiners will receive arrears from the start of the financial year.