Raksha Bandhan: CM Mann transfers Rs 52.20 crore to 1.37 lakh women
Babushahi Bureau
Goindwal Sahib (Punjab), August 26, 2026: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday announced the release of Rs 52.20 crore in honorarium to 1.37 lakh Satkar Sakhis, crediting their grassroots efforts with helping the state government expand the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna across Punjab.
Addressing a Satkar Sakhis’ honour ceremony at Goindwal Sahib virtually, Mann said the women volunteers had played a key role in helping eligible beneficiaries register for the scheme and access financial assistance.
He said more than 76.11 lakh women have been registered under the scheme so far, while financial assistance of Rs 2,381 crore has already been transferred to 68.06 lakh women.
The Chief Minister said the government has set a target of bringing one crore women under the scheme. Satkar Sakhis will receive Rs 300 for every successful registration, he said, adding that the first instalment of Rs 51.20 crore had already been released at the rate of Rs 100 per registration. Once the target is achieved, Satkar Sakhis could collectively earn more than Rs 200 crore, according to Mann.
Mann Says Scheme Will Continue Under AAP Government
Mann said the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna was aimed at strengthening the dignity, financial independence and self-respect of women.
He said women above 18 years of age were receiving financial assistance of Rs 1,000, while eligible Scheduled Caste women were receiving Rs 1,500, with the amount being transferred directly into their bank accounts.
The Chief Minister said around 97 per cent of women in Punjab were expected to benefit from the initiative and claimed that the state government had allocated Rs 9,300 crore for the scheme in the budget.
Mann said the financial assistance might not make beneficiaries wealthy, but it could provide them with greater financial dignity and help meet everyday needs.
He said the government’s objective was to strengthen women’s financial autonomy and increase their participation in household and economic decision-making.
The Chief Minister also assured beneficiaries that the scheme would not be discontinued as long as the Aam Aadmi Party government remained in power in Punjab.
He said many women had already used earlier instalments for household expenses, medicines and repayment of debts. Mann urged Satkar Sakhis to remain connected with the families they had helped register and continue supporting them beyond the registration process.
‘Satkar Sakhis Took Scheme to Doorsteps’
Mann said the large-scale registration under the scheme would not have been possible without the work of Satkar Sakhis.
He said these women had helped families with registration, form filling and other requirements, particularly those who faced difficulties in accessing government schemes.
In a message posted on X, Mann thanked the Satkar Sakhis for helping take the scheme to households across Punjab and assisting women in receiving the financial assistance directly in their bank accounts.
Amandeep Kaur Praises Women Wing
AAP Punjab Women Wing president and MLA Dr Amandeep Kaur praised the Satkar Sakhis and members of the women’s wing for their grassroots work.
She said their role went beyond helping women fill out forms and that they had become a source of support for beneficiaries in their local communities.
Dr Amandeep Kaur also highlighted various welfare measures of the Punjab government and said women had received greater representation in public life, employment and positions of responsibility.
She claimed that the AAP women’s wing had emerged as a strong grassroots organisation and would play an important role in the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora and Harbhajan Singh ETO, along with MLAs and other dignitaries, were also present at the event. They highlighted various initiatives of the Punjab government and expressed confidence that the AAP would return to power in the state