Shiromani Akali Dal suffered a major political setback in Patran when former MLA Vaninder Kaur Loomba and Karan Singh DTO, along with hundreds of their supporters, joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann formally welcomed all the newly inducted leaders and supporters into the party. He said that the joining of grassroots leaders would further strengthen the party in the region.

CM Mann said that such a large number of supporters from the opposition party joining AAP reflects the growing public endorsement of the AAP government’s pro-people works and policies, which will further expand and strengthen the party’s base in the coming times.

When Sheikh Zishan Qureshi from Malerkotla suffered a heart problem, he needed immediate treatment. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors performed a Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), commonly known as angioplasty, along with a diagnostic angiogram.

PTCA is a life-saving procedure that opens blocked arteries and restores blood flow to the heart during a heart attack. Doctors say every minute matters because delaying treatment can permanently damage the heart and increase the risk of death. For many families, however, arranging money for emergency treatment often causes dangerous delays.

The Bhagwant Mann Government’s Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana is helping remove this barrier by providing cashless treatment for eligible families. For Sheikh Zishan Qureshi, treatment worth ₹80,320 was covered under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. “It was a huge relief for both my family and me that the treatment was carried out on time and without financial stress. The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana has made emergency care more accessible for people across Punjab,” said Sheikh Zishan Qureshi.

According to the State Health Agency (SHA), Punjab, more than 6,000 cardiac procedures have been performed under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana in the last five months. Most of these were PTCA procedures, allowing patients to receive treatment immediately without worrying about hospital bills. PTCA, inclusive of a diagnostic angiogram, is the second-highest expenditure category under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana at ₹64.82 crore, just behind knee replacement. It has benefited 6,138 patients across Punjab, ranking sixth by patient volume, with an average cost of ₹1,05,611 (about ₹1.06 lakh) per case. Individual treatment costs vary depending on clinical complexity.

As a time-sensitive intervention for heart attacks, PTCA has a significant life-saving impact, while cashless access under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana enables hospitals to begin treatment immediately without financial delays.

In another case, Harjinder Kaur, a 60-year-old woman from Gurdaspur district, also benefited from the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana. She underwent PTCA, a diagnostic angiogram, and temporary pacemaker implantation at Mahajan Hospital, Amritsar. Her son, Gurmeet Singh, a farmer, said they could not have afforded the treatment on their own.

“Had it not been for the Sehat Card, I would not have been able to get my mother’s treatment done. The cost was beyond our means. Today, she is recovering because of the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana,” he said.

Dr Saurabh Sharma, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Cardiology at Government Medical College and Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, said PTCA is one of the most important emergency treatments for heart attack patients.

“Every minute of delay increases the risk of permanent heart damage. Cashless treatment under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana allows doctors to begin treatment immediately instead of waiting for families to arrange money,” he said.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh said the scheme is improving access to emergency cardiac care across the state. “Cashless treatment has reduced hesitation among patients and their families during medical emergencies. More people are reaching hospitals in time, and doctors can start treatment without financial delays. This is helping save lives,” he said.

The Minister added that the growing number of cardiac procedures under the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana reflects increasing awareness of the scheme and greater public confidence in government-supported healthcare.

The Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojana provides cashless treatment for families across Punjab, covering a wide range of medical services, including advanced cardiac procedures.

The wait of lakhs of women across Punjab finally came to an end on Wednesday as the CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government rolled out the Mukh Mantri Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna, fulfilling its final election guarantee made ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. Launching the scheme through a dedicated web portal in Dhuri, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the direct transfer of three months’ Satkar Raashi into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries, with every woman receiving ₹3,000 and women from the Scheduled Caste category receiving ₹4,500. The payments began reaching beneficiaries during the event itself, with women receiving SMS confirmations on their mobile phones.

Sharing a few snippets from this programme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated on X: “Today, the historic launch of the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna was held in Dhuri. Under the scheme, every woman will receive a ‘Satkar Raashi’ of ₹1,000 per month, while women from the Scheduled Caste community will receive ₹1,500 per month. With the rollout of the scheme, a consolidated amount of ₹4,500, covering the months of July, August, and September, has been transferred directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries. Women began receiving SMS confirmations of the transfers during the event itself.”

“Our government has launched this scheme with meticulous planning to ensure that it continues uninterrupted in the years ahead. This financial assistance will provide significant support to economically weaker families while also serving as a mark of respect for our mothers and daughters,” the post concluded.

Addressing the gathering after launching the scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, amid a huge round of applause, described the day as historic and said the state government had rolled out this landmark initiative under which more than 40 lakh women have already been registered.“The Satkar Raashi has started from July and it will pave the way for women empowerment. This is an ambitious scheme and we have launched it with complete planning to ensure that it continues permanently,” he said.

Sharing details of the scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said women beneficiaries above the age of 18 years would receive mobile notifications regarding the financial assistance of ₹1,000 to every woman in Punjab and ₹1,500 in the case of Scheduled Caste women. “The funds will be directly transferred into bank accounts and women who are already receiving social security pensions will also be eligible under the scheme. Around 97% of women in Punjab are expected to benefit and the state government has earmarked ₹9,300 crore in the Budget for this purpose,” he said.

Highlighting the larger social significance of the initiative, the Chief Minister said that although the financial assistance may not make women rich, it would certainly provide them with dignity and self-respect. “Women deserve the highest respect because they are the source of life itself. The blessings of our mothers and sisters can help us overcome every challenge in the world. Strengthening women’s financial autonomy is essential for improving household welfare, promoting gender equity and enhancing women’s participation in social and economic decision-making,” he said.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to the scheme, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that as a brother, son and nephew of the women of Punjab, he assures every beneficiary that the scheme will never stop because it is an act of trust reposed in the people. “The mobile phones of women will start beeping with notifications, ushering in a new era of prosperity where women live with dignity and pride. This reflects our respect for women and the state government will leave no stone unturned in pursuing this noble cause,” he added.

Speaking about his government’s welfare-oriented governance model, the Chief Minister said the tax money collected from the people belongs to them and the government is spending it judiciously for their welfare. “People’s money is coming back to the people through development, schools, hospitals and roads. The state government is working only for the people. We have provided free electricity to households, given more than 68,000 government jobs without corruption, improved roads, closed toll plazas saving ₹70 lakh every day, strengthened quality education and healthcare, built infrastructure and undertaken several other major initiatives. Today, three months’ payments have been transferred into the bank accounts of women and this will go a long way in strengthening their empowerment,” he said.

Describing the launch of the Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna as a historic milestone, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia said the Punjab Government has officially fulfilled all the major guarantees made to the people of the state. “This financial assistance is much more than a direct cash benefit. It is a profound transfer of trust to the women of Punjab. Today is a red-letter day not only for the women of Punjab but for women across the country, as it showcases a model of governance that truly values and uplifts its citizens. By seamlessly integrating structural reforms in health and education with direct welfare empowerment, the Punjab Government has silenced its critics and set a new benchmark for welfare politics in India,” said Manish Sisodia.

Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora and Dr. Baljeet Kaur, senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia and several other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

How to Avail the Benefits of the Mukh Mantri Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna

Eligible women can apply for the Mukh Mantri Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna through the offline registration process at designated government centres. Registration is free of cost.

Where to Apply

• Nearest Anganwadi Centre
• Sewa Kendra
• Municipal Council Office
• Concerned Block Office

Documents Required

• Aadhaar Card
• Punjab Voter ID Card
• Aadhaar-linked Bank Account Details/Passbook
• Income Certificate (where applicable)
• Passport-size Photograph
• Scheduled Caste Certificate (for SC applicants seeking the enhanced benefit)

Application Process

• Visit the nearest designated registration centre.
• Collect the application form for the Mukh Mantri Maavan Dheeyan Satkar Yojna.
• Fill in all the required details carefully.
• Attach the required documents.
• Submit the completed application form to the designated official.
• Collect the acknowledgement receipt for future reference.

Haven’t Registered Yet?

Women who have not yet registered can still apply. Eligible women who register later will also receive the Satkar Raashi with effect from July 1, subject to successful verification and approval. The government has clarified that there is no registration deadline, and benefits will be provided from the scheme’s effective date to eligible beneficiaries.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday gave a clarion call to the people to get their enumeration done under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 of the Electoral Rolls. After getting his own enumeration completed, the Chief Minister said the state has already achieved nearly 90% electoral roll mapping and reaffirmed that the Punjab Government will not allow any genuine vote to be deleted during the ongoing revision exercise.

During a media interaction, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 in Punjab, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) have been conducting a door-to-door verification and revision of the electoral rolls from June 25 to July 24. It is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that nearly 90% mapping of the electoral voters has already taken place in the state and the remaining work is going on in full swing.”

Congratulating the officials involved in the exercise, the Chief Minister said, “I congratulate all the BLOs and the Election Commission staff for this achievement. This has been possible because of their dedication and hard work.”

Highlighting the role of the BLOs, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The BLOs are visiting every household to provide the Enumeration Form and are also assisting voters in filling it out. For the convenience of voters, no additional documents are being collected along with the form. Only the verification of the existing details is required.”

Explaining the procedure further, the Chief Minister noted, “If a house is found locked, the BLO will leave an Information Slip and a sticker at the premises. The BLOs will visit the house at least three times to collect the completed Enumeration Form.”

Urging people to complete the process without delay, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Only the names of voters who submit the duly filled Enumeration Form will be included in the Draft Electoral Roll. If anyone does not submit the form, his or her name will not be included in the draft roll.”

Explaining the verification process for those who fail to submit the form, he said, “For those who do not submit the form, verification will be carried out through enquiries with neighbours and such voters will be classified into four categories: absent, shifted, deceased and duplicate.”

Sharing the timeline for publication of the electoral rolls, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This list will be shared with the Booth Level Agents (BLAs) of political parties and the Draft Electoral Roll will be published on August 3. If any citizen is unable to submit the Enumeration Form before the publication of the draft roll, he or she may file a claim between August 3 and September 2 by submitting Form-6 along with the Declaration Form. The Final Electoral Roll will be published on October 1, 2026.”

Reiterating the government’s commitment to safeguarding every eligible voter, the Chief Minister said, “The state government will not allow any genuine vote to be deleted in the ongoing SIR by the Election Commission of India. The state government is fully vigilant and will not allow anyone to illegitimately deprive eligible people of their democratic rights.”

Making a fervent appeal to the people, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “I urge every eligible voter to participate in this process with full enthusiasm, as it is aimed at strengthening democracy.”