Only those who fill SIR form can vote, benefit from govt schemes: CM Mann

Chandigarh, Jul 8 (PTI) Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday called upon eligible voters in Punjab to participate in the SIR process, saying it was essential for the right to vote and to avail benefits of government welfare schemes. Mann assured full support and cooperation to people during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), which he said is aimed at strengthening democracy at the grassroots level. "If anyone faces any difficulty while filling out the SIR form, they should contact the local volunteers of the Aam Aadmi Party, who will extend every possible assistance," he told in a video message addressed to the public. Mann referred to "Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana", a state government scheme under which women will get a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per month, with an additional Rs 500 for women from the Scheduled Castes. "It is very important for every eligible voter to fill out the SIR form so that your name is included in the new electoral roll. If your name does not appear in the voter list, you will not be able to exercise your democratic right to vote. I urge every Punjabi to complete this process on time and protect this invaluable right," he said in his video message. The chief minster appealed to people across the state to participate in the process enthusiastically to ensure that "genuine" votes remain on the electoral rolls. On the launch of Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana, Mann said that the state government has fulfilled another major promise made to the people. "Women beneficiaries above the age of 18 years have started receiving notifications on their mobile phones regarding the financial assistance being credited directly to their bank accounts. Every Woman of Punjab is receiving Rs 1,000 per month, while women from the Scheduled Caste category are receiving Rs 1,500 per month." Nearly 97 per cent of women in Punjab are expected to benefit from this historic initiative, for which the state government has made a budgetary provision of Rs 9,300 crore, he said. "To continue receiving the benefits of Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojna and other social welfare initiatives of the Punjab government, every eligible voter must participate in the SIR process so that their genuine vote is not deleted from the electoral rolls," the CM said. Chief Electoral Officer Anindita Mitra has said that the SIR exercise is progressing smoothly across the state. PTI SUN SKY SKY