₹31.78 crore released for Scheduled Castes: Dr Baljit Kaur
6,231 beneficiaries from 12 districts covered under Ashirwad Scheme
₹51,000 financial assistance for marriage under Ashirwad Scheme
Chandigarh, January 15 (WISHAVWARTA):- Punjab’s Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr Baljit Kaur, said that the Punjab Government has released an amount of ₹31.78 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme during the current financial year 2025–26, benefiting 6,231 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries. This assistance has provided direct financial support to thousands of economically weaker families across the state.
She said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is firmly committed to strengthening every section of society economically. The Ashirwad Scheme is a clear reflection of this commitment, playing a significant role in reducing the financial burden on poor families at the time of their daughters’ marriages.
Sharing further details, Dr Baljit Kaur said that during the current financial year, a total of 6,231 applications were received on the Ashirwad portal from the districts of Faridkot, Ferozepur, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Patiala, SBS Nagar, Sangrur and Tarn Taran. An amount of ₹31.78 crore has been released to cover these beneficiaries.
She informed that financial assistance has been provided to 155 beneficiaries in Faridkot, 242 in Ferozepur, 124 in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, 1,647 in Fazilka, 226 in Gurdaspur and 70 in Jalandhar under the scheme.
Similarly, beneficiaries from Kapurthala (615), Ludhiana (2,498), Patiala (178), SBS Nagar (152), Sangrur (117) and Tarn Taran (207) have also been extended benefits under the Ashirwad Scheme.
The Cabinet Minister said that under the Ashirwad Scheme, the state government provides financial assistance of ₹51,000 for the marriage of girls belonging to low-income families, so as to provide economic support to their families at the time of marriage.
She further stated that to avail the benefits of the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family and have an annual family income from all sources of less than ₹32,790. Under the scheme, two daughters per eligible family are entitled to receive benefits.
Dr Baljit Kaur added that the financial assistance is transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure transparency and timely disbursement.
She reiterated that the Mann Government is making sustained efforts to ensure that no eligible family is deprived of government welfare schemes, and that Scheduled Castes, backward classes and economically weaker sections are integrated into the mainstream, enabling them to lead a dignified and improved quality of life.
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