The Punjab government led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has announced a monthly financial assistance scheme of ₹1,000 for adult women in the state as part of the 2026-27 budget. The initiative was unveiled on International Women’s Day and is seen as a major welfare measure ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema introduced the scheme while presenting the state budget in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
₹1,000 Monthly Support for Women
Under the newly announced “Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojana”, the Punjab government will transfer ₹1,000 per month to eligible adult women in the state through direct benefit transfer.
Women belonging to the Scheduled Caste community will receive ₹1,500 per month under the scheme.
According to the finance minister, the programme will cover about 97% of all adult women in Punjab, making it one of the most extensive cash transfer schemes for women in India.
Eligibility Criteria
Finance Minister Cheema said most women above the age of 18 years will be eligible for the scheme.
However, certain groups will be excluded, including:
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Current or former permanent government employees
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Current or former Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs)
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Income tax payees
Importantly, women already receiving social security pensions, such as old-age pensions, widow pensions, or disability benefits, will still be eligible for the scheme.
Punjab Budget 2026-27 Highlights
The Punjab government proposed a total budget expenditure of ₹2,60,437 crore for the financial year 2026-27. The finance minister described the budget as a tribute to the “mothers and daughters” of Punjab.
Social Welfare Allocation
The social welfare and justice department received its highest-ever allocation of ₹18,304 crore. Key provisions include:
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₹360 crore for the Ashirwad Scheme
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₹261 crore for post-matric scholarships
Infrastructure and Rural Development
To improve infrastructure across the state, the allocation for the Rangla Punjab Vikas Scheme has been doubled to ₹1,170 crore, with ₹10 crore allocated to each of the 117 assembly constituencies.
In rural areas, the government plans to upgrade the remaining 19,876 kilometres of village roads, with an estimated cost of ₹7,606 crore.
Agriculture and Water Conservation
The budget earmarked ₹15,377 crore for agriculture and allied sectors. The government also allocated ₹40 crore to promote Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) as part of efforts to conserve groundwater.
Healthcare Initiatives
The Punjab government announced ₹2,000 crore for the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, which provides health insurance coverage of up to ₹10 lakh per family annually.
Another ₹1,220 crore has been allocated for medical education and research. Additionally, 100 new Aam Aadmi Clinics will be established across the state.
Education Sector Boost
The education sector received ₹19,279 crore, marking a 7% increase from the previous year’s budget.
The government also announced plans to establish a new university in Sri Anandpur Sahib to mark the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur, along with a trauma centre and a dedicated mother-and-child hospital in the city.
Fiscal Outlook
Punjab’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is projected to reach ₹9,80,635 crore in FY 2026-27, reflecting an estimated 10% growth rate.
The fiscal deficit is projected at 4.08% of GSDP, while the state’s outstanding debt could reach ₹4,47,754 crore by March 2027.
Focus on Social Challenges
The budget also addresses Punjab’s ongoing drug crisis. The government announced plans to launch a comprehensive Drug and Socio-Economic Survey starting in April 2026 to better understand and address the issue.
