No SIR, no welfare benefits, warns Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday appealed to women enrolled under the state’s ‘Mava Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ to participate in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, saying verification of voter details would be essential for the continued delivery of welfare benefits.

In a message addressed to beneficiaries, Mann said the government has already begun transferring financial assistance under the flagship scheme and described the disbursement as the fulfilment of a key electoral commitment. He, however, emphasised that beneficiaries must ensure their names remain on the updated voter list by submitting the forms prescribed under the Election Commission’s revision exercise.

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The Chief Minister cautioned that women whose names are excluded from the revised electoral rolls after the completion of the SIR process could face difficulties in receiving assistance under the Mava Dhiyan Satkar Yojana as well as other government-sponsored welfare programmes. He urged beneficiaries not to ignore the verification exercise and complete the formalities within the stipulated time.

Mann also asked women requiring assistance in completing the documentation to approach local volunteers, saying the government machinery and party workers were available to facilitate the process. He stressed that safeguarding one’s name in the electoral roll was equally important for exercising the right to vote and for ensuring uninterrupted access to eligible welfare schemes.

The state government also announced the next phase of financial assistance under the scheme. Officials said women who registered after June 25 would receive their first instalment on August 1, when an amount covering three months’ assistance for July, August and September would be credited to their bank accounts.

According to the government, beneficiaries who had completed their registration on or before June 25 have already received an advance payment covering three months under the scheme. The administration said the phased release of funds is intended to ensure that all eligible women are brought under the programme while maintaining updated beneficiary records.