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Punjab Anganwadi Employees Federation Union have raised concerns about logistical and financial support. ₹20,000 per centre has been sanctioned for upgrades, but the funds have not yet been disbursed.
Chandigarh: The Punjab government’s Department of Social Security and Women and Child Development is set to roll out registration for the Mukh Mantri Mawan Dheeyan Satkar Yojana from Monday, marking a key step in expanding direct financial support to women across the state.
Under the scheme, general category women will receive ₹1,000 per month, while Scheduled Caste (SC) women will receive ₹1,500 per month, reflecting a targeted approach to social equity and economic support.
Pilot Rollout Across Key Constituencies
In the initial phase, the government has identified 2,087 anganwadi centres across nine Assembly constituencies—Adampur, Anandpur Sahib, Batala, Dirba, Kotkapura, Moga, Malout, Patiala and Sunam—to serve as primary registration and facilitation hubs.
These centres are being prepared to handle large-scale enrolment, with instructions issued to ensure proper infrastructure and readiness ahead of the launch.
Anganwadi Workers Flag Concerns
However, even as preparations gather pace, anganwadi workers have raised concerns about logistical and financial support.
Hargobind Kaur of the Punjab Anganwadi Employees Federation Union pointed out that although ₹20,000 per centre has been sanctioned for upgrades, the funds have not yet been disbursed.
“We cannot spend from our pockets. We should be paid ₹100 per beneficiary,” she said, also demanding that smartphones procured by the department be provided to anganwadi workers to facilitate smoother digital registration.
Focus on Grassroots Delivery
The scheme relies heavily on the anganwadi network, which acts as the government’s last-mile delivery mechanism for welfare initiatives. By turning these centres into registration points, the government aims to ensure ease of access for women, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
Welfare Push Ahead of Wider Expansion
The pilot rollout is expected to help streamline processes, identify bottlenecks, and refine implementation before a statewide expansion. The scheme is seen as a significant welfare initiative aimed at enhancing women’s financial independence and social security in Punjab.
As registration begins, the programme’s success will largely depend on how effectively the government addresses on-the-ground challenges flagged by frontline workers while ensuring that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries promptly.
