Over 30,000 women in Mohali district received more than Rs 10 crore on the very first day of Punjab's new direct benefit transfer (DBT) scheme. The scheme, called Mukhyamantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojna (MMMDSY), was formally launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The amount was transferred in two batches after the launch. A total of 30,136 women beneficiaries in Mohali received Rs 10.02 crore on Day 1.
The disbursement data shows clear differences based on category. Of the total beneficiaries, 23,602 women from the general category received Rs 7.08 crore. Each general category beneficiary got Rs 3,000, which is the first instalment amount fixed for that category.
Meanwhile, 6,534 women from the Scheduled Castes (SC) received Rs 2.94 crore. SC beneficiaries got an enhanced first instalment of Rs 4,500 each, as per the scheme's rules.
The first-day numbers from Mohali suggest a strong start for the state government's cash assistance programme. The scheme aims to provide financial support directly to women through bank transfers, cutting out middlemen.
The district-wise data shows the scheme is being implemented through a direct benefit transfer system. This means the money goes straight into the bank accounts of eligible women.
In our view, the first-day numbers from Mohali are impressive. Over 30,000 women receiving Rs 10 crore in a single district on Day 1 shows the government's machinery can deliver when it wants to. The fact that SC women get a higher amount — Rs 4,500 versus Rs 3,000 — is a meaningful step toward addressing historical inequality.
But we must ask: Can this pace be sustained across all 23 districts of Punjab? Mohali is a relatively well-off district with good banking infrastructure. The real test will come in rural and remote areas where bank connectivity is weaker. Also, the scheme's long-term impact depends on whether the money reaches the women who need it most — not just those who are easiest to reach.
To put it plainly, Day 1 is a success. But the scheme's true measure will be taken months from now, when we see if the money is actually improving lives or just adding to savings accounts.
