29 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has stressed the importance of financially empowering women and improving their independence while addressing a public gathering at a Lok Milni programme in Sarinh village near Nakodar in Jalandhar district. The programme, held on October 28, 2026, focused on public welfare, financial assistance for women and the state government’s development initiatives.
During the event, Mann highlighted the importance of direct financial assistance in helping women manage household expenses and make financial decisions independently. He said welfare schemes should benefit ordinary families and described public money as a resource that must be used for the welfare of citizens.
CM Mann Highlights Benefits of Financial Assistance
Speaking at the gathering, Mann discussed the impact of financial assistance being deposited directly into women’s bank accounts under the Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojna.
He said women had shared their experiences with him through phone calls, messages and videos, describing how the money had helped them meet different household needs. According to the Chief Minister, some women had used the assistance to repay outstanding shop credit, while others had purchased household essentials or installed reverse osmosis water purifiers. Some elderly women had also used the money to buy bicycles for their grandchildren.
Mann said the assistance was intended not to make anyone wealthy overnight but to provide financial support and dignity to women from ordinary households. He also highlighted how having money deposited directly into their own accounts could reduce women’s dependence on other family members for everyday expenses.
Next Instalment Expected on November 1
The Chief Minister announced that the next instalment of financial assistance would be credited to beneficiaries’ bank accounts on November 1. He referred to the upcoming transfer while speaking about the government’s commitment to continuing the welfare programme.
The Mukh Mantri Mawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojna provides financial assistance to eligible women in Punjab. The government has previously announced direct transfers under the scheme, with assistance amounts varying according to eligibility criteria.
Mann said the programme was intended to strengthen women’s financial independence and provide support for everyday household needs. The announcement was a central part of his address at the Lok Milni event.
‘Public Money Must Be Used for Public Welfare’
Explaining the government’s approach to welfare spending, Mann said the money collected through taxes belonged to the people and should be directed towards their development and well-being.
He argued that people contribute to government revenue through taxes on everyday purchases and consumption, making it important for public funds to reach ordinary households through welfare programmes and development works.
The Chief Minister also criticised previous governments, alleging that public resources had not been adequately used for the benefit of ordinary citizens. These remarks formed part of his political address at the gathering.
Mann reiterated that his government’s stated priorities included improving education, healthcare, employment opportunities and public services across Punjab.
Lok Milni Programme Held in Sarinh
The Lok Milni programme was organised at Sarinh village in the Nakodar constituency of Jalandhar district. The event provided an opportunity for the Chief Minister to address residents and discuss government initiatives.
Mann also handed over a cheque of ₹51 lakh for development works in the village. Nakodar MLA Inderjit Kaur Mann, singer Kanth Kaler and senior district administrative officials were among those present at the programme.
A large number of people from nearby areas attended the gathering. The event combined discussion of welfare schemes with announcements related to local development.
Political Debate Over Welfare Schemes
During his address, Mann also criticised opposition parties, including the Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party and Shiromani Akali Dal, over their positions on welfare initiatives. He alleged that these parties were threatening to discontinue schemes benefiting ordinary families.
The Chief Minister defended his government’s approach, arguing that direct financial assistance and other welfare measures were intended to improve people’s living standards. His remarks came as Punjab’s political parties prepare for the 2027 Assembly elections.
The opposition parties’ positions and the future of individual schemes remain matters of political debate.
Focus on Women’s Economic Independence
Mann’s address placed women’s financial independence at the centre of the government’s welfare message. Direct transfers can give eligible beneficiaries greater control over how assistance is spent, although the overall impact of such schemes depends on their design, eligibility rules and implementation.
The Lok Milni programme concluded with an emphasis on welfare delivery, local development and the use of public funds for citizens’ needs. The Chief Minister reiterated that the government would continue its efforts to support women and improve living conditions for ordinary families across Punjab.