Chandigarh, March 29: The Punjab Government has released an amount of Rs. 20 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme for the beneficiary families belonging to Scheduled Castes. Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities, disclosed this.

Minister Shares Updates on Ashirwad Scheme Funding

Sharing further information, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that during the current financial year 2024-25, an amount of Rs. 20 crore has been released after processing 3,922 applications received from 12 districts under the Ashirwad Scheme. She added that under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 51,000 is provided for the marriage of girls belonging to economically weaker families.

 Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur  Details Fund Distribution Across 12 Districts

The Cabinet Minister elaborated that they have disbursed the amount to beneficiaries from 12 districts. This includes 1,476 beneficiaries from Amritsar, 56 from Barnala, 111 from Faridkot, and 389 from Ferozepur. There are also 84 beneficiaries from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, 188 from Fazilka, 216 from Kapurthala, and 767 from Ludhiana. Additionally, there are 96 beneficiaries from Mansa, 152 from Sri Muktsar Sahib, 89 from Rupnagar, and 298 from SBS Nagar.

Eligibility and Benefits of the Ashirwad Scheme

Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that to avail benefits under the Ashirwad Scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident. They must reside in Punjab. The applicant must live in Punjab permanently. The benefits require that applicants belong to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or other Economically Weaker Sections. Additionally, the annual income of the family should not exceed Rs. 32,790. She added that families can avail financial assistance for the marriage of up to two daughters. She emphasized that the government transfers financial assistance directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts. It uses Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to ensure complete transparency and timely disbursal. Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and the Punjab Government are fully committed. They aim to uplift and support economically weaker sections. He actively supports Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes. Bhagwant Singh Mann is making continuous efforts to make them self-reliant and economically empowered.