The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is fully committed to the welfare and empowerment of women. In line with this commitment, the State Government is all set to launch the ‘Mawan-Dhian Satkar Yojana’. Under the scheme, every eligible woman aged 18 years and above in Punjab will receive ₹1,000 per month, while women belonging to the Scheduled Castes category aged 18 years and above will receive ₹1,500 per month.
This was stated by Punjab Public Works Minister S. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. while addressing large public gatherings during public interaction programmes held yesterday evening at villages Bhangwan, Saidolehal and Dasmesh Nagar in the Jandiala Guru Assembly Constituency. He said that the ‘Mawan-Dhian Satkar Yojana’ would not only strengthen women financially but would also enhance their dignity, self-reliance and social empowerment.
He informed that eligible beneficiaries would start receiving benefits under the scheme from July 1. The Minister said that these public interaction programmes are not political events but an initiative aimed at establishing direct communication with the people, listening to their concerns and addressing their issues promptly.
He remarked that while previous governments failed to focus on public welfare, the present government is ensuring that every rupee from the state exchequer is spent for the benefit of the people. S. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. stated that more than 90 per cent of households in Punjab are receiving the benefit of free electricity.
He further said that farmers are now getting uninterrupted daytime power supply, a landmark achievement in the history of Punjab. He added that at a time when valuable national assets are being handed over to private interests, the Punjab Government has created history by acquiring a private thermal power plant and naming it after Sri Guru Amar Das Ji, reflecting the government's commitment to safeguarding public interests.
The Cabinet Minister said that the State Government has taken a historic decision to curb arbitrary fee hikes by private schools. An ordinance has been approved to regulate fee increases in private unaided schools.
The objective is to ensure transparency and accountability in the school fee structure and protect students and parents from the financial burden caused by unjustified fee hikes. Under the ordinance, no private school will be allowed to increase fees by more than five per cent, and strict action will be taken against institutions violating these provisions.
S. Harbhajan Singh E.T.O. said that public funds are now being channelled back to the people through improved schools, modern hospitals, better roads and strengthened infrastructure. He highlighted that the government has provided more than 68,000 jobs to youth purely on merit, without corruption or political recommendations.
He further stated that the closure of toll plazas that had exceeded their concession period has provided significant relief to commuters, resulting in daily savings of nearly ₹70 lakh for the people of Punjab. The Minister reiterated that the Punjab Government remains committed to the overall development of the state and the welfare of its citizens, while continuously strengthening infrastructure and improving public services across Punjab.