As many as 52 lakh women in Punjab will receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000, and Rs 1,500 for Dalit women, from July 1 under Mukh Mantri Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana. Cards for 35 lakh beneficiaries have already been issued.This was stated by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on the sidelines of a press conference called to announce the extension of the Kisan Credit Card scheme to vegetable and fruit growers, and pisciculturists, to encourage agricultural diversification.Mann said the government has already budgeted the funds required to provide financial assistance under the scheme. “No one should mislead the women of the state that this will run for just a few months. It will be a long-term scheme for the economic upliftment of women,” he said.Asked about the lookout circular issued against Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, the Chief Minister said Punjab Police are searching for him and he will be arrested soon. “He is a paper tiger. He embroiled his men in a police case and has fled after deserting them,” Mann said.Meanwhile, Mann, who also holds the Cooperation Department portfolio, announced changes to the 26-year-old Kisan Credit Card scheme. He said the government will digitise the entire process.“The credit limit for the wheat crop has been increased from Rs 24,380 to Rs 30,000 per acre. For the first time, a separate provision of Rs 2,000 per acre has been included in KCC for crop residue management,” he said.In a major relief to sugarcane farmers, the credit limit has been raised to Rs 1 lakh per acre. The limit for vegetables and horticultural crops has been increased from Rs 32,000 to Rs 1.57 lakh per acre. Crops such as dragon fruit, bamboo, poplar, and lemongrass have been included in KCC for the first time, he added.Under the amended scheme, farmers will receive KCC approval valid for six years, with the credit limit increasing annually. Farmers can also easily withdraw funds via ATM, UPI, and digital banking.