Adampur: In a significant welfare push, the Punjab government is all set to formally launch its flagship financial assistance programme aimed at supporting women across the state on Tuesday. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will unveil the initiative at Adampur, marking the beginning of a scheme that promises monthly aid to lakhs of beneficiaries.
Under the programme, women from the general category will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while those belonging to Scheduled Caste communities will be entitled to Rs 1,500. The scheme, a key electoral promise of the Aam Aadmi Party, is expected to benefit nearly 90 lakh women once fully implemented.
Officials said the disbursement of funds is likely to begin from July, following the completion of the registration process. As part of the initial rollout, the government has launched a pilot phase covering nine Assembly constituencies, including Adampur, Malout, Anandpur Sahib, Dirba, Sunam, Kotkapura, Moga, Patiala Rural, and Batala.
Eligible women can register by submitting basic documents such as Aadhaar card, voter ID, and bank account details. However, those who are currently serving or retired government employees, as well as elected representatives, will not qualify for the scheme.
Authorities indicated that the pilot phase will help streamline the process before the programme is expanded across the state. Registration in the remaining constituencies is scheduled to begin from mid-May.
The initiative was first announced during the state Budget presentation earlier this year and is being seen as a major step toward financial empowerment of women, particularly those from economically weaker sections. Apart from its welfare objective, political observers note that the scheme could also play a crucial role in strengthening the ruling party’s support base among women voters.
