Chandigarh, March 8: Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced a landmark financial assistance scheme for women on Sunday as he presented a Rs 2,60,437 crore state budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Under the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, eligible women across Punjab will receive Rs 1,000 per month, with registration scheduled to commence this April.
The Finance Minister described the allocation as a tribute to the maternal figures and daughters of the state. He affirmed that the budget is a celebration of their invaluable contribution to the future of society. The announcement drew significant applause from the treasury benches during the session, which was attended by the mother and wife of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
While the scheme aims for broad coverage, the government has established specific exclusion criteria. Female government employees, pensioners, income tax payers, and current or former legislators are not eligible for the monthly grant. However, the Finance Minister noted that women already receiving social security pensions will be permitted to avail of this additional assistance.
The fiscal plan also directs substantial resources toward the state’s youth and athletes. A budgetary outlay of Rs 1,791 crore has been set for sports infrastructure, representing an 83 percent rise from the previous year. This funding is intended to support the construction of 6,000 village playgrounds and 5,000 indoor gyms. Additionally, the state plans to develop adventure sports camps in sub-mountainous regions through public-private partnerships.
Regarding the state’s economic health, the Gross State Domestic Product is projected to reach Rs 9,80,635 crore. Total revenue receipts are estimated at Rs 1,26,190 crore, aided by an increase in the state’s share of central taxes. Cheema maintained that every promise made to the citizens of Punjab has been fulfilled through this fiscal roadmap.
