‘Mukhyamantri Maawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ has awakened a new ray of hope, respect and economic self-reliance among the women of Punjab.

Chandigarh: Punjab Government’s ‘Mukhyamantri Maawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ has created a new wave of enthusiasm among the women of the entire state. The scheme amount has reached the bank accounts of many women, while other women are also waiting to receive the amount. For thousands of women of Punjab, this first amount is much more than financial assistance. This is an opportunity to fulfill desires that have been put off for years, support your children’s education, take better care of your health and above all, experience the honor of having money coming directly into your own bank account.

Gagandeep Kaur thanked   

Gagandeep Kaur, 40, of village Adalatpur is very happy with the amount coming into her account. She said, “I have ₹3,000 in my account. I have not spent this amount yet because I want to spend it only on my son. Whatever he asks for, I will get him with my money. When my child is happy, I also feel happy. Every further amount I get, I will spend on him.” She added with a smile in Punjabi, “Jo oh manguga, ohi le ke dawangi.” (Whatever he asks for, I will buy it for him)

For Soma, a domestic worker from Ichchhewala village, the news of deposit of ₹4,500 brought both relief and happiness. She said, “I am very poor, but this government has done a very good job by sending money directly into the accounts of women. This gives us security and self-respect. If money was given in cash, other members of the family could have taken it, but having money in one’s bank account also provides financial security.”

Soma, who is suffering from low hemoglobin and poor health, has already decided how she will use this amount. She said, “I will buy nutritious food. Doctors have advised me to eat beetroot and dry fruits to increase hemoglobin. I will also buy dragon fruit. I saw this fruit for the first time in ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. Till then I thought only rich people eat it. Now I will taste it myself.” She laughed while saying this.

Soma’s daughter, who has recently passed class 12th and is now taking admission in college, has also registered under the scheme. Soma said, “We both together will get a total of ₹ 6,000 every three months. My daughter had been demanding new clothes for college, a good salwar-kameez and sandals for a long time. My husband is unemployed, so there is always a shortage of money in our house. I kept postponing it every time. Now I will be able to fulfill her wish and we will also be able to save some money for her books.” Soma has six daughters.

When the message of deposit of money came on the mobile phones of Soma and her two sisters-in-law, Ritu and Zeena, all three jumped with joy and started dancing. These three women living in a joint family together received a total assistance amount of ₹ 13,500, which will meet many of the immediate needs of the family.

For Renu, a 53-year-old housewife from Sunam, this amount is not just financial help but a symbol of self-reliance. She said, “We do not earn ourselves. We have to depend on our husbands or sons even for small household expenses. My two daughters are married. With this money, I want to buy sweets, snacks and fruits and invite both my daughters home. This time, I will spend hospitality with my own money.”

Savita, 47, sees this assistance amount as an opportunity to start saving. Her husband has been unable to work since suffering from a serious heart condition two years ago. She said, “My daughter is also eligible for this scheme, so both of us together will get a total of ₹6,000. I plan to deposit ₹1,000 every month in the post office savings scheme, while my daughter can spend her share on meeting small personal needs that she often neglects.”

For Jasbir Kaur, a domestic worker in three houses in Bathinda, this scheme is linked to her daughter’s higher education. She said, “I belong to the Scheduled Caste category, so I was supposed to get ₹1,500 per month, but I could not upload the caste certificate at the time of application because I had not yet got the certificate made. Now I will get the certificate made and request the government to update my category. ₹1,000 per month also means a lot. My daughter is taking admission in BA first year and I will spend this amount on her admission.”

Raj, 55, from Gurdaspur has already withdrawn some of the amount she received. She said, “I have received ₹3,000 in my account, but now I have withdrawn only ₹1,000. All this money will be spent on my medicines. I often fall ill and my treatment costs a lot. Now at least I will not have to reach out to anyone to buy medicines.”

She wants to keep the remaining amount to meet her medication and medical needs later, as she has been suffering from health issues for a long time. She said, “There is a lot of pain in my legs and I cannot even walk properly. Now I will spend this money on my medicines and vitamins.”

This scheme fulfills one of the major election promises of the Aam Aadmi Party. During a public meeting held in Moga in November 2021, the then Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had promised that if his government is formed in Punjab, monthly financial assistance will be provided to women.

The stories emerging from the villages and cities of Punjab show that this amount may not be huge, but its importance is not limited to financial assistance alone. For some, it is a support for children’s education, while for others it is a medium for better health, savings, family happiness and events. For many women, it is a satisfying experience to spend on their needs from a bank account in their own name.