The Fact News Service
Chandigarh, May 30
Punjab’s Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, today informed that the Punjab Government has released ₹37.50 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme during the current financial year 2025-26 to benefit 7352 Scheduled Caste applicants.
Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that applications under the Ashirwad Scheme were received through the Ashirwad Portal this year from 19 districts, including Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Mansa, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla, and Tarn Taran. Financial assistance amounting to ₹37.50 crore has been sanctioned to cover 7352 beneficiaries from these districts.
The Minister informed that the disbursed amount covers 313 beneficiaries in Barnala, 826 in Bathinda, 166 in Faridkot, 178 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 360 in Fazilka, 104 in Gurdaspur, 731 in Hoshiarpur, 837 in Jalandhar, 69 in Kapurthala, 310 in Mansa, 360 in Moga, 502 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 630 in Patiala, 112 in Pathankot, 158 in Rupnagar, 159 in SAS Nagar, 797 in Sangrur, 80 in Malerkotla, and 660 in Tarn Taran.
Highlighting the objectives of the scheme, Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Punjab Government, under the Ashirwad Scheme, provides financial assistance of ₹51,000 for the marriage of girls belonging to low-income families in the state.
She added that to avail of the benefit under this scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belong to a Scheduled Caste, Backward Class, or Economically Weaker Section family, and have an annual family income not exceeding ₹32,790. Eligible families can avail of this financial assistance for the marriage of up to two daughters.
The Cabinet Minister further mentioned that the disbursement of financial assistance is made directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure transparency and timely support.
Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is firmly committed to the welfare of all sections of society, with dedicated initiatives for the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and economically weaker sections to uplift their standard of living and empower them economically.
