The Mann government of Punjab has announced an ambitious scheme, providing significant relief to working women in the state. The government will build five new working women’s hostels at a cost of ₹150 crore, three of which will be established in Mohali, one in Amritsar, and one in Jalandhar. This initiative will prove to be a boon for thousands of young women who work in cities away from their homes in search of better careers.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, while approving the project, said that every woman has the right to safe and affordable housing. “Our daughters and sisters come to cities to pursue their dreams, but high rents and unsafe environments are their biggest challenges. These hostels will not only provide them security but also strengthen their self-confidence,” he said.
This is not the first step towards women’s hostels in Punjab. In 2019, the previous government launched two working women’s hostels in Ludhiana and Patiala, investing approximately ₹35 crore. These hostels provided accommodation to over 200 women, saving them 40-50 percent on their expenses. Neha Sharma, a 28-year-old resident of these hostels and working in a private company, says, “Earlier, I had to pay ₹8,000 in rent. Now, I get all the facilities for ₹3,500.”
This move by the Mann government comes at a time when women’s participation in Punjab’s economy is rapidly increasing. Thousands of women come to the state’s IT hub Mohali, business hub Amritsar, and industrial city Jalandhar every year in search of employment. However, the lack of safe and affordable housing forces many talented women to compromise on their careers.
The new hostels will be equipped with modern amenities, including 24-hour security, CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi, a gym, a library, common rooms, and medical facilities. Each hostel will accommodate 150 to 200 women, directly benefiting approximately 800 to 1,000 women.
Dr. Simranjit Kaur, an official with the Social Welfare Department, explains that this time, drawing on the experience of the previous hostels, a more comprehensive plan has been developed. “We took feedback from women and understood their needs. Proximity to work, public transportation, and affordable rates have been prioritized in the new hostels,” she said.
Experts believe that this scheme will also boost Punjab’s economy. When women can work without worry, their productivity will increase, boosting the state’s economic growth rate. Professor Mandeep Kaur, an economist at Panjab University, says, “Increasing female labor force participation is key to economic development. Such schemes send a positive message.”
The Mann government has taken several concrete steps toward women’s empowerment over the past two years. Examples include free bus travel for women under the “Mai Bhago Ishri Shakti” scheme, increased salaries for ASHA workers, and a special loan scheme for women entrepreneurs. The new hostels are another important step in this series, demonstrating that the government believes in practical action, not just announcements.
The construction of these hostels is expected to be completed in the next two years. This will not only help empower women but also send a positive message toward gender equality in society. When a woman is economically self-reliant, the entire family and society are strengthened. This decision by the Punjab government is an important and commendable step in that direction.
