Chandigarh, Aug 26 (IANS) To mark Raksha Bandhan, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday fulfilled the role of a ‘brother’ by transferring Rs 52.20 crore as Sanman Rashi to 1.37 lakh Satkar Sakhis, while recognising their contribution in taking the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna to women across the state.
The Chief Minister said the dedicated efforts of Satkar Sakhis had enabled the registration of more than 75 lakh women under the scheme and helped ensure that Sanman Rashi reached the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries.
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, the Chief Minister said 76.11 lakh women had been registered under the scheme so far, with Rs 2,381 crore already transferred to the accounts of 68.06 lakh women. The government had set a target of connecting 1 crore women with the scheme, while Satkar Sakhis would receive Rs 300 for every registration.
The Chief Minister said the government’s commitment to women’s welfare would remain unwavering and the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dheeyan Satkar Yojna would not be discontinued as long as the AAP government remained in power in Punjab.
Addressing a gathering virtually at a function organised to disburse incentives to Satkar Sakhis, CM Mann said the government had given a special Rakhi bonanza to women beneficiaries by releasing their instalment of financial assistance on the festival of Raksha Bandhan.
“Our government has launched the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna in recognition of the dignity and respect of women. I appeal to all the remaining eligible women to get themselves registered under the scheme and avail its benefits,” he said.
The Chief Minister pointed out, “Women beneficiaries above the age of 18 years are receiving notifications on their mobile phones regarding financial assistance of Rs 1,000, while Scheduled Caste women are receiving Rs 1,500. The assistance is being transferred directly into their bank accounts, while 97 per cent of women in Punjab are expected to benefit from the scheme. The state government has allocated Rs 9,300 crore in the budget for this initiative.”
He said the financial assistance may not make women rich, but it will certainly provide them dignity and self-respect. “Women deserve the highest respect because they are the source of life itself, and the blessings of mothers and sisters can help overcome every challenge in the world,” he added.
–IANS
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