Reportedly, a budget of Rs 9,300 crore has been allocated. Registration is set to begin on Vaisakhi at local Seva Kendras. The scheme excludes income tax payers, current/former MPs and MLAs (including spouses), and regular government employees.
In a series of major administrative and political developments, the Punjab government has officially notified a new welfare scheme for women, while facing a sharpening conflict with state grain traders (Arhtiyas) and internal party friction.
Launch of “Mawa Dhian Satkar Yojana”
The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government has fulfilled its final major pre-poll “guarantee” by notifying the Mawa Dhian Satkar Yojana. Under this scheme, women in the general category will receive Rs 1,000 per month, while women from the Dalit community will receive Rs 1,500 per month. The benefit is intended to continue throughout the recipient’s life.
Reportedly, a budget of Rs 9,300 crore has been allocated. Registration is set to begin on Vaisakhi at local Seva Kendras. The scheme excludes income tax payers, current/former MPs and MLAs (including spouses), and regular government employees.
War of Words Over Wheat Procurement
A heated exchange has erupted between CM Bhagwant Mann and the Arhtiyas (commission agents) who are currently on strike. After Punjab traders met with Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini to resolve their grievances with the Central Government, CM Mann reacted sharply, suggesting that if they prefer Haryana’s leadership, they should “move their business there.”
Vijay Kalra, President of the Federation of Arhtiya Association, retaliated by stating they only met the Haryana CM to find a bridge to the Union Government, mocking Mann by saying they never told him to “become the CM of Gujarat” just because he holds rallies there.
Legislative Action on Sacrilege (Be-adbi)
The Chief Minister announced that a historic special session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha will be held on April 13. The government plans to amend the Jagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act 2008 to introduce harsher punishments, ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment for attempted sacrilege.
While the government claims to be consulting experts, the SGPC has called its own meeting on April 6 to discuss the matter.
Internal Turmoil in AAP: The Raghav Chadha Rift
The rift within the Aam Aadmi Party has widened following the removal of Raghav Chadha as the party’s Rajya Sabha Deputy Leader.
CM Mann justified the move, stating that anyone going against the “party line” or violating the whip must face action. He criticized Chadha for focusing on trivial issues like “pizza and samosa delivery” in Parliament instead of Punjab’s core issues.
In a video message, Chadha reportedly claimed the leadership could “silence but not defeat” him, questioning why raising public interest issues is considered a “sin.”
Other Key Updates
- The SGPC has implemented a new rule banning women from traveling alone to Pakistan for religious pilgrimages; they must now be accompanied by a close male relative (father, husband, or brother).
- Reports from the 36th day of the US-Israel-Iran conflict indicate the downing of additional US aircraft (A-10 Warthog and F-15) by Iranian forces, with Iran offering a bounty for the capture of US pilots.
- The CBSE has released its 2026 syllabus, sparking criticism in Punjab for allegedly neglecting the Punjabi language in the new curriculum.
