A new monetary benefit for the women of Punjab, the state government has transferred a sum of Rs. 1291 crore in ‘Sanman Rashi’ directly to the bank accounts of over 37.43 lakh women under Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna.
Speaking at a large gathering in Abohar, the Punjab chief minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the scheme is to cover one crore women in the state and already the figure of the women registered under the scheme is 80 lakh.
Mann Calls Scheme a Social Revolution
It was “a social revolution” aimed at increasing the economic autonomy, self-esteem and confidence of mothers and daughters, Mann said. He emphasised that direct financial assistance would give women the autonomy to decide and have a life with dignity.
The Chief Minister further revealed that the payments to all the registered beneficiaries would be dispensed in a single general mode on 1st January as a “gift of the New Year”.
“We are continuously striving to translate the government’s vision of financial freedom for women across Punjab into reality by imparting their financial literacy,” Mann shared details about the event.
Mann Targets Opposition Parties
Pointing out that the Akali Dal or Congress though had failed to accept the initiative benefited women from their respective families as well, Mann alleged in a dig at the two parties. “Eligible beneficiaries would not be subjected to political discrimination” and “the interests of public welfare would be above party interests,” he affirmed.
The funds being split were of the people’s, those who remunerated the State with their tax dollars, Mann added. The government was giving back the people’s money via welfare and growth programs, he said.
He also pointed to the investments in the schools, hospitals, roads and canals in addition to the health insurance of ₹10 lakh disbursed to the population as an example of the initiative by the government in enhancing the quality and availability of public services.