Lakhs of women in Punjab praise DBT; financial aid reaches accounts directly

August 24, 2026

The Punjab government’s initiative to transfer financial aid directly into women’s bank accounts via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT)—under the ‘Chief Minister Maavan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ is receiving a positive response across the state. Beneficiary women state that this system has made the distribution of aid transparent, secure, and convenient, thereby providing them with an opportunity to become more financially self-reliant.

Financial aid reaches lakhs of women directly

Under this scheme, the Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has so far directly transferred a total of ₹1,149 crore into the accounts of approximately 33 lakh women. Eligible women from the Scheduled Caste category have received a total of ₹4,500 in three monthly installments of ₹1,500 each, while women from other categories have received a total of ₹3,000 in three installments of ₹1,000 each.

Over 70 lakh women registered

This scheme has emerged as one of the state’s largest women-centric social security initiatives. To date, more than 70 lakh women have registered for it. The government states that the DBT system ensures the aid amount reaches beneficiaries’ accounts directly without intermediaries or delays thereby guaranteeing transparency and accountability.

Women share the benefits of the scheme

Sarabjit Kaur from Gurdaspur stated that the direct transfer of funds into bank accounts ensures the money is spent on genuine needs. According to her, the securely deposited funds can be utilized according to the family’s requirements, and this has also strengthened women’s economic participation.

Suman Kumari from Hargobindpur mentioned that this assistance has helped with household expenses as well as her daughters’ education. She noted that, alongside other government welfare schemes, this financial aid has provided much-needed relief to the family.

Harpal Kaur from Ahmedgarh also praised the scheme, noting that receiving funds directly into their accounts allows women to make their own spending decisions based on their needs. According to her, this system makes women more financially independent and empowered.

DBT Boosts Confidence in Transparency

Beneficiaries believe that the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system has enhanced transparency in the distribution of government assistance. The direct deposit of funds into bank accounts has eliminated the role of middlemen, ensuring that beneficiaries receive the full amount of aid on time.

Axis Bank Plays a Pivotal Role

Axis Bank, the nodal banking partner, has played a crucial role in the successful implementation of the scheme. The bank has facilitated the large-scale transfer of financial assistance across the state.

Reynold D’Souza, Group Head (Branch Banking, North & Task Business) at Axis Bank, stated that partnering with the Punjab government for the implementation of this scheme is a matter of pride for the bank. He affirmed the bank’s commitment to ensuring the timely, transparent, and effective distribution of financial aid to the beneficiaries.

A Significant Initiative Towards Women’s Empowerment

The Punjab government believes that the ‘Chief Minister’s Maavan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ is not limited merely to providing financial assistance; it is also a significant step towards financially empowering women and integrating them into the banking system. The direct transfer of aid into their accounts via DBT enables women to make their own financial decisions, thereby strengthening their social and economic participation.