Chandigarh, March 8 – Nearly four years after coming to power on a promise of financial assistance to women, the AAP government in Punjab announced a new scheme on Sunday under which women would receive ₹1,000 or ₹1,500 per month directly into their accounts.
Around 97 per cent of all adult women in Punjab would be eligible for this scheme, and ₹9,300 crore has been allocated for it in the 2026-27 budget, which was presented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in the Assembly.
Cheema stated that existing or past permanent government employees, current and past MPs/MLAs, and income tax payers would not be eligible for this scheme.
Under the 'Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojana,' women would receive ₹1,000 per month, while women belonging to the Scheduled Caste community would receive ₹1,500 per month.
Cheema claimed that all promises made to the people of Punjab have been fulfilled, as he presented a budget with an allocation of ₹2,60,437 crore.
Cheema stated that this new scheme would be the first universal cash transfer scheme for women in India, and all women aged 18 and above in Punjab would be eligible to enroll.
Speaking to reporters later, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said registration for the scheme would begin on April 13 – Baisakhi day.
The announcement coincided with International Women's Day. It was the first time that the state budget was presented on a Sunday.
This was the last budget of the Mann government in Punjab before the 2027 elections.
In his nearly three-hour-long budget speech, Cheema also focused on health, education, sports, agriculture, and other sectors, while increasing allocations. However, the FM did not introduce any new taxes.
According to the budget documents, the state's outstanding debt was projected at ₹4,47,754.78 crore for the fiscal year 2026-27, compared to ₹4,07,784.13 crore for the revised estimates of 2025-26.
Before the budget session began, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha received a bomb threat email. After a thorough anti-sabotage check, nothing suspicious was found, officials said.
Asserting that this budget is dedicated to the mothers and daughters of Punjab, Cheema said it is a tribute to their strength and a celebration of their invaluable contribution to society and the future. He stated that the state government's fifth budget marks a defining moment in its governance journey.
Cheema described the budget as "Saari Guarantiyan Puri Karan Wala Budget," emphasizing that the government worked to fulfill all "guarantees" made to the people.
Cheema said that the government will transfer ₹1,000 per month directly into the accounts of all women. For women belonging to the SC community, the government will transfer ₹1,500 per month directly into their accounts.
He also stated that women enrolled under existing social security pension schemes, such as old-age pension, widow/destitute women pension, or disability pension schemes, would also be eligible under this scheme.
Cheema also increased the budget allocation for the Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme from ₹585 crore in 2025-26 to ₹1,170 crore in 2026-27, aiming to ensure balanced and equitable development across all regions of the state.
Many women visitors, including AAP leaders and workers, were present in the visitors' gallery of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha during the budget presentation.
On the agriculture front, Cheema proposed an allocation of ₹7,715 crore for power subsidies for the agriculture sector, along with ₹600 crore for subsidizing stubble management machinery.
Cheema stated that an allocation of ₹15,377 crore has been earmarked for the agriculture and allied sectors in 2026-27 to support targeted interventions in crop diversification, sustainability, market reforms, and farmer welfare.
On the health front, Cheema proposed ₹2,000 crore for the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna,' which provides for cashless treatment up to ₹10 lakh per family annually. He also announced the opening of 143 more Aam Aadmi Clinics in the state in the next fiscal year.
Cheema proposed a budgetary outlay of ₹6,879 crore for the health sector in FY27.
Cheema also announced the establishment of a World-Class University and a modern trauma center in the name of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji at Sri Anandpur Sahib.
Noting that education reforms in Punjab have moved from promises to structural transformation, Cheema proposed a budgetary outlay of ₹19,279 crore for the education sector.
Cheema stated that Punjab's economy has demonstrated steady resilience and structural stability over the past year, projecting a gross state domestic product (GSDP) of ₹9,80,635 crore for 2026-27 with an anticipated growth rate of 10 per cent.
The effective revenue deficit is estimated at 2.06 per cent of GSDP, and the fiscal deficit at 4.08 per cent of GSDP.
To reinforce Punjab's industrial momentum, ₹2,805 crore has been allocated for the Industries and Commerce sector, including continued support for subsidized power to industry and ₹500 crore towards fiscal incentives for various industries to promote investment and employment generation.
Cheema also announced the observation of the 650th Prakash Utsav of Guru Ravidas with a ₹100 crore allocation.
On social welfare, Cheema said the government has introduced the 'Meri Rasoi' scheme with a ₹900 crore allocation to provide free quarterly essential ration kits to nearly 40 lakh families.
He added that new ration card enrollments will be opened for 10 lakh additional beneficiaries. Employment opportunities will also be generated through the allotment of nearly 7,500 fair price shops, he said.
Cheema also stated that the state has injected ₹1,000 crore into the Guarantee Redemption Fund and doubled capital expenditure to ₹18,381 crore for asset creation.
"The debt-to-GSDP ratio has been reduced from 48.25 per cent to 44.47 per cent," Cheema said, adding that the government remains committed to strengthening the financial health of Punjab while investing in infrastructure and public welfare.
