Ludhiana, March 9 -- Opposition leaders on Sunday questioned the Punjab government over its announcement to provide Rs.1,000 per month to women, asking why a promise made nearly four years ago was being formally rolled out only now and why no arrears had been announced for the intervening period.

The issue was raised after the state government reiterated the scheme during the budget session on Sunday. Opposition leaders said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had promised before the 2022 assembly elections to provide Rs.1,000 per month to every woman above 18 years of age but had delayed implementing the measure despite being in power for four years.

Senior Congress leader and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu said if the government was seriou...