Chandigarh is buzzing with anticipation as Punjab’s 2026-27 state budget approaches, with expectations high for a game-changing announcement: monthly financial aid of Rs 1,000 for women across the state. This move, seen by many as the fulfillment of a key electoral promise by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has sparked widespread joy among women voters who have waited years for this support.
Women in Punjab are expressing unbridled excitement. One resident told reporters that AAP is finally delivering on its last major guarantee from the 2021 elections. ‘This is huge for families like ours,’ she said, highlighting how the promise was a cornerstone of the party’s campaign. The aid is expected to ease household budgets strained by rising costs.
Another woman described it as a ‘wonderful gift’ for the state’s women, especially when combined with existing free electricity schemes. ‘We’re already saving Rs 2,000 to 2,500 monthly on bills,’ she noted, emphasizing the cumulative impact on family finances. On International Women’s Day, the timing feels symbolic, with one enthusiast calling it a ‘day of pride’ as the long-awaited scheme nears reality.
Local resident Prabhjot Kaur echoed the sentiments, congratulating homemakers in particular. ‘AAP promised this before coming to power, and now it’s happening,’ she said, underscoring the significance for women managing daily expenses. Even the special assembly session on a Sunday underscores the priority given to this issue.
However, the opposition isn’t convinced. Shiromani Akali Dal MLA Ganive Kaur Majithia pointed out that no payments have been disbursed yet. ‘We’ll see what the government actually does,’ she remarked, urging caution amid the hype. As the budget session unfolds, all eyes are on whether this Rs 1,000 monthly aid will be formally greenlit, potentially transforming economic support for Punjab’s women and setting a precedent for welfare schemes nationwide.