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Universal vs targeted: How Punjab’s new financial assistance for women challenges other states’ models

Moving away from income-capped welfare, Punjab’s Budget 2026-27 introduces a landmark cash transfer scheme for women. With an outlay of Rs 9,300 crore, the government will provide Rs 1,000 to general category women and RS 1,500 to SC women, ensuring coverage up to 97 per cent.

3 min readChandigarhMar 8, 2026 05:01 PM IST

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema with women MLAs before presenting Punjab Budget 2026. Express photo by Kamleshwar Singh

On International Women’s Day, the Punjab Government unveiled Budget 2026-27 that fulfills a defining 2022 campaign promise, but with a strategic twist. The direct cash transfer scheme, Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhian Satikar Yojna, aims for near-universal coverage, distinguishing itself from more restrictive schemes in other states.

While the scheme offers Rs 1,000 per month to most adult women, it provides a higher tier of Rs 1,500 for women from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, a demographic that constitutes over 32.5 per cent of Punjab’s population.

Finance Minister Harpal Cheema said the scheme is a rejection of “targeted” welfare, which he labelled as political jumlas (empty promises). The Punjab model is designed to be nearly universal, covering 97 per cent of adult women, barring government employees and income tax payers. Women receiving other social security pensions, like old-age, widow, destitute, or disability pensions, will now receive a total of Rs 2,500 per month.

Neighbouring Haryana’s Deen Dayal Lado Lakshmi Yojana offers a higher monthly sum of RS 2,100, but it is capped at households earning less than Rs 1 lakh annually. This restricts coverage to roughly 20–22 lakh women.

Himachal Pradesh offers Rs 1,500 under the Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh-Samman Nidhi Yojana, but only to non-taxpayers, while Karnataka limit benefits to one female head per household under its Gruha Lakshmi scheme. West Bengal’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme provides assistance primarily to women from low-income households. In Madhya Pradesh, the Ladli Behna Yojana is available only to women within specified age groups and income brackets.

Economic independence of women

The AAP government has earmarked Rs 9,300 crore for the scheme in the 2026–27 financial year, describing it as one of the largest women-centric financial assistance programmes undertaken by a state.

Cheema said the initiative aims to promote economic independence among women and strengthen their role in household decision-making. The government also linked the programme to broader social goals, including improved health and nutritional outcomes and greater support for women pursuing education or employment.

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Cheema said other states have limited their schemes to a small section of women, ignoring the vast majority of women who are financially dependent on men for their most basic needs.

Targeting the BJP government in Haryana, he said, “For example, one of our neighbouring states announced a similar scheme but limited it only to households with an annual income under Rs 1 lakh, covering only 20 per cent of all adult women. But Punjab will not do such jumlas.”

“Chief Minister Sardar Bhagwant Singh Mann Ji is not a Chief Minister for 20 per cent women of Punjab, but to all the women of Punjab. That is why we have decided to become the first state to ensure all adult women are covered under the scheme.”

“Whether it’s a college student needing books, or a grandmother buying a toy for her granddaughter, or a woman wishing to watch a movie in a cinema hall, they won’t have to ask anyone for money,” he said.

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“Their elder brother, Bhagwant Singh Mann, will deposit Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 every month into their bank account directly.”

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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Punjab budget

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