This Sunday, the Punjab Budget is set to fulfill a major promise—₹1,000 monthly allowance for every woman in the state. AAP is preparing for state-wide celebrations with live screenings in every village and market.(File photo).As the Punjab government prepares to announce Rs 1,000 per month allowance for women — a key pre-2022 poll promise — in the Budget 2026-27 to be tabled on International Women’s Day on Sunday, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has asked its leaders and workers to put up screens in party offices, crowded markets and villages and show the announcement live.Finance Minister Harpal Cheema will be presenting the Budget. In a strategy meeting, chaired by AAP affairs incharge Manish Sisodia and Satyendar Jain on Friday after the first day of the session, the party MLAs were asked to involve women workers and put up big screens.“We have been asked to showcase the initiative of the government in a big way. We will now engage our women workers and ask them to gather women in villages to watch the announcement live. This will be followed by celebrations. We will showcase Sunday as a big day in the history of Punjab,” a party leader, privy to discussions, told The Indian Express.He added, “We were told that the announcement will be made. We have been asked to propagate it in a big way. It should reach every nook and cranny of the state”.Also, the party has asked the MLAs to tell the workers to hold meetings and visit homes to connect directly with people. The goal is to reach every household and talk about the work the government has done over the past four years. The leaders told the MLAs that soon a booklet highlighting the government’s four-year achievements would be printed. They urged the MLAs to take this booklet and go door-to-door, explaining the government’s work to citizens.Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, AAP state president, Aman Arora, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema were among those present in the meeting. However, the Chief Minister was not present at the gathering.Sisodia is also learnt to have asked the MLAs to help expedite preparation of universal health cards. “Sisodia told us that these cards will be helpful in identifying women beneficiaries for doling out the scheme. It appears that it will take sometime for the women to get registered for the scheme the way universal health cards were being prepared,” said an AAP leader.Story continues below this adHe also encouraged MLAs to engage the youth. He suggested forming youth clubs in villages and cities, providing sports kits, and installing gym equipment to motivate young people toward fitness and community activities. Every wing of the party, he said, should become active and explain the government’s achievements to the communities they represent. Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:chandigarh