*Beneficiaries across 18 districts to receive ₹51,000 financial assistance*
*Punjab Government committed to welfare of weaker sections*
Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, said that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is continuously working for the welfare of weaker sections of society. In this direction, financial assistance amounting to ₹23.32 crore has been released under the Ashirwad Scheme for 4,572 beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes during the current financial year 2025-26.
She stated that this financial assistance provides support to low-income families at the time of marriage of their daughters, thereby reducing the financial burden on families and helping them conduct marriages with dignity. She added that the scheme is providing significant relief to needy families and strengthening social security.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further informed that beneficiaries from districts Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla and Tarn Taran have been covered under this scheme.
Providing district-wise details, the Minister said that financial assistance has been provided to 125 beneficiaries in Barnala, 761 in Bathinda, 87 in Faridkot, 266 in Ferozepur, 155 in Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, 164 in Gurdaspur, 441 in Hoshiarpur, 332 in Ludhiana and 441 in Mansa. Similarly, 265 beneficiaries in Moga, 126 in Patiala, 221 in Pathankot, 293 in Rupnagar, 166 in SAS Nagar, 83 in SBS Nagar, 130 in Sangrur, 105 in Malerkotla and 411 in Tarn Taran have also been provided financial assistance under the scheme.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Ashirwad Scheme, financial assistance of ₹51,000 is provided by the State Government for the marriage of daughters belonging to low-income families. She added that the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab and belong to a family living below the poverty line.
The Cabinet Minister further stated that the scheme applies to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and other economically weaker sections. She added that the total annual family income from all sources should be less than ₹32,790 and up to two daughters of eligible families can avail benefits under the scheme.
She further informed that financial assistance is directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts through DBT, ensuring transparency and convenience in the process.
Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government is continuously working to uplift the living standards of all sections of society and strengthen economically weaker families. She said that people-centric welfare schemes are being implemented effectively to ensure timely assistance to needy families.
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