AAP Doles Out Welfare Scheme For Women as Elections Approach

July

2026

The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government launched its flagship women’s financial aid initiative—Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana on 1 Jul, from the Chief Minister’s home turf, Dhuri, Sangrur district. Under the scheme, every woman in every household is expected to receive USD 10.52 per month and USD 15.77 in the case of women from Backward Castes. More than 4M women registered for the scheme by 1 Jul. The scheme is projected to cover nearly 97% of adult women and the government began depositing three months’ installments into the bank accounts of women beneficiaries. Nearly 3.2M women in Panjab received the first installment of financial assistance. In Amritsar, the district administration has found 188,026 women, including 52,488 belonging to Backward Castes, eligible for the monthly aid. The administration had engaged 3,484 Mahila Satkar Sakhis (volunteers) across the three constituencies in Majitha, Jandiala Guru, and Amritsar South. With the release of the first installment, more women are approaching help centers and anganwadi (day care) centers for registration. However, staff involved in the process are facing difficulties due to repeated server outages that are disrupting online services. Pawandeep Kaur, a homemaker, said applicants had to wait for hours for registration on 2 Jul. By 3 Jul, Ludhiana district had recorded the highest number of registrations under the scheme with 505,850 beneficiaries. Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar has reported the lowest number of registrations with 94,145 beneficiaries. Pooja, a resident of Ludhiana, said, ‘We have been informed that even if our applications are completed in August, we will receive all four due installments together.’ The state government has allocated USD 976.5M for the scheme in the budget. The scheme is expected to distract the people from the video controversy involving CM Mann, including his summons by Sri Akal Takht Sahib (Eternal Throne). In the past, welfare measures have showcased changing voting patterns in the state. However, opposition leaders have termed the scheme as opportunistic. Certain high-income segments, like serving and retired government employees, income tax payers, and current and former lawmakers—Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly—have been excluded from the scheme. Those already receiving social security pensions under the widow, aged, and handicapped categories are, however, eligible for the honorarium (earlier coverage).