Punjab News Daily
Adampur (Jalandhar), April 14

Marking the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar with a decisive welfare push, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday rolled out a near-universal women-centric scheme in Punjab, promising assured monthly financial support of Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 to women across the state. Calling it a true tribute to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision of social justice and equality, the Chief Minister launched the registration process, making all women above 18 years eligible with a simple three-document requirement, while ensuring doorstep facilitation through a massive network of camps and support staff.

The rollout begins in nine constituencies and will expand across the remaining 108 from May 15, with payments starting July and no deadline for registration, effectively guaranteeing benefits to every eligible woman regardless of when she enrolls. With 26,000 registration centres and dedicated Mahila Satkar Sakhis deployed in every village and ward, the scheme is designed for scale, access and certainty, positioning it among the most expansive direct financial support initiatives for women in the country.

Accompanied by senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announced that the scheme has been rolled out as a pilot across nine locations including Adampur, Malout, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Dirba, Sunam, Moga, Kotkapura, Batala and Patiala Rural. “Registration for women in remaining 108 constituencies will start from May 15 onwards. Monthly payments of Rs 1,000 or Rs 1,500 will start from July 2026 onwards,” he added.

Reassuring women about accessibility, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “There is no deadline for registration and the ladies need not worry as it doesn’t matter when they register whether April 15 or May 15 or August 15.” He further clarified that delayed registration would not affect benefits, adding, “They will get their full payment payable from July onwards, so even if they register at the end of September, they will get full payment for three months meaning July, August and September.”

Detailing the documentation process, he said, “For registration only three documents are required including Aadhaar with Punjab address, Voter ID from Punjab and Bank passbook. In case of SC women SC certificate is also required.” Addressing concerns of women lacking caste certificates, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann added, “I know many of my SC sisters and mothers don’t have a certificate but they don’t have to worry and just apply for their certificate.”

He further assured uninterrupted benefits, stating, “If that is taking time then don’t have to worry as they too can register under the scheme without the certificate and start getting ₹1000 monthly. However, whenever their certificate comes, the state government will pay them a difference of ₹500 per month as well from July onwards. There is no need to worry on this front.”

To ensure last-mile coverage, the Chief Minister announced a grassroots outreach mechanism. “To ensure 100% coverage of all women above 18 years and to handhold them through the registration process, the Punjab government will engage Mahila Satkar Sakhis in every village and every ward across Punjab,” he said.

Explaining their role, he added, “Mahila Satkar Sakhis will come to the home of beneficiaries and explain to them benefits of the Scheme, clarify their all doubts, and handover the registration form. They will explain the entire registration process to the beneficiaries along with what documents are needed and solve all their queries and problems.”

He further noted, “If the beneficiary is missing any document like voter ID or bank account, these Sakhis will help them in getting that made too. Mahila Satkar Sakhi will guide them at every step.”

On ease of access, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Once they have filled in their registration form and have all your documents ready, they can visit their nearest registration centre and submit it there.” He added that the government has ensured extensive infrastructure, stating, “To ensure that women face no hassle in traveling for registrations, the Punjab government will be allowing registration at more than 26,000 locations including all Anganwadi Centres, all Sewa Kendras and all Municipal Corporation/Committee offices in urban areas.”.