Khadur Sahib | October 2026 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has announced another instalment of financial assistance for women under the Maa-Dhian Satkar Yojana, with beneficiaries receiving SMS alerts confirming direct transfers of Rs 3,000 to Rs 4,500 into their bank accounts.
Addressing a large gathering at Sri Goindwal Sahib, Mann said his government was using taxpayers’ money directly for public welfare schemes. He claimed that women across Punjab were expressing support for the government following the transfers. He also alleged that if the Congress, BJP or Shiromani Akali Dal came to power, benefits such as the monthly financial assistance, free electricity and free bus travel for women would be discontinued.
In a post on his X account, Mann thanked people for attending the event and said the government was spending public money exclusively on welfare. He added that Punjab had emerged as a leading state in education and other public services.
During the programme, the Chief Minister paid obeisance at the historic religious site associated with Sikh Gurus. He said the location was chosen because of its historical significance, including the contributions of Guru Amar Das Ji towards ending the practice of sati and strengthening the community kitchen tradition, in which Mata Khivi Ji played an important role.
Mann said the second instalment covering October, November and December was being released for women in Punjab. According to him, Rs 1,262.54 crore was being transferred directly to the bank accounts of 36.87 lakh women.
He said 73.99 lakh women had previously received a total of Rs 2,562.33 crore under the scheme. With the latest transfers, the total amount disbursed as financial assistance has reached Rs 3,824.87 crore.
Describing the scheme as a step towards social change, Mann said it was intended to strengthen women’s confidence, self-respect and financial independence. He claimed that nearly 97 per cent of women in Punjab would be eligible for the benefit and said the government aimed to extend the scheme to one crore women.
The Chief Minister said there were no restrictions preventing multiple eligible women in the same household from receiving the assistance. He added that 1.37 lakh Satkar Sakhis had played a significant role in registering beneficiaries and that more than Rs 51 crore had been released to them as incentives. Anganwadi workers assisting with registration would also receive Rs 25 crore, he said.
Mann said the government was responsible for collecting taxes and spending the money on public welfare, citing development works, agricultural infrastructure, the laying of 14,000 kilometres of pipelines and the provision of more than 70,000 jobs as examples of his administration’s efforts.
Mann Targets Opposition Parties
The Chief Minister criticised the traditional political leadership in Punjab, alleging that political power had long remained concentrated among a few influential families. He said the AAP had provided opportunities to leaders from ordinary backgrounds.
He also targeted the Akali Dal, alleging that the party had misused religion and was facing the consequences of its actions. Referring to the Congress, Mann said internal disagreements within the party would continue despite changes in leadership. He alleged that the party had more leaders aspiring to become Chief Minister than grassroots workers.
Mann said the Akali Dal had governed Punjab for 25 years and the Congress for nearly 30 years, but the state had not achieved the level of development it deserved. He said his government had laid the foundation for development since 2022 and that results were now becoming visible.
Education and Employment Initiatives
Mann claimed that Punjab had risen from 27th place to the top position in school education rankings, according to a central government assessment. He said the government had established smart classrooms, provided training to teachers, recruited non-teaching staff and introduced other measures to improve educational standards.
He also highlighted the performance of government school students in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET). According to Mann, when he assumed office, only 80 students from Punjab qualified for the examination. After the introduction of free coaching for government school students, 882 students qualified this year.
He said the government planned to establish additional centres for Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination preparation to help students from Punjab pursue careers as IAS and IPS officers.
The Chief Minister argued that quality education was essential to breaking the cycle of poverty, saying welfare cards and food assistance alone could not substantially improve living standards.
Free Electricity and Agricultural Infrastructure
Mann said eligible households in Punjab were receiving 300 units of free electricity every month. He also cited the acquisition of the Goindwal Sahib thermal power plant for Rs 1,080 crore, describing it as a significant step for the state’s power sector.
On agriculture, he said farmers were receiving electricity during the daytime and that canal water was being delivered to fields through 14,000 kilometres of pipelines laid by the government. He described the initiative as a major development for Punjab’s agricultural sector.
Responding to criticism from opposition parties, Mann alleged that leaders of the Congress, BJP and Akali Dal had targeted him because they were uncomfortable with an ordinary person leading the state government.
Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech in Jalandhar, Mann said the Punjab government was performing well across sectors. He reiterated his claim that a change in government could lead to the discontinuation of the Maa-Dhian Satkar Yojana, free bus travel for women and other welfare programmes.
Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO and other dignitaries were present at the event.
