Chandigarh: Reaffirming its commitment to social justice and welfare of underprivileged sections, the Punjab Government under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is continuously implementing pro-people initiatives for the upliftment of needy families.
In this regard, Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, informed that during the tenure of the Mann government, an amount of ₹728.48 crore has been released under the Ashirwad Scheme for Scheduled Castes, benefiting more than 1.43 lakh families across the state.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Ashirwad Scheme has emerged as a strong support system for economically weaker families by reducing the financial burden during the marriage of daughters. She emphasized that the Punjab Government’s objective is not only to provide financial assistance but also to ensure dignity, security and a respectful life for daughters belonging to poor families.
The Minister further informed that families who are permanent residents of Punjab and fall below the poverty line, belonging to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes or Economically Weaker Sections, are eligible to avail benefits under the scheme. She added that financial assistance is provided for the marriage of up to two daughters in a family, bringing significant relief to thousands of needy households.
Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that while the marriage of a daughter is a moment of joy for families, it often brings financial concerns for economically weaker parents. She noted that the Ashirwad Scheme has helped reduce these worries and brought happiness to thousands of households, enabling poor parents to marry off their daughters with dignity, respect and hope for a secure future.
The Minister also directed officials to ensure that benefits under the scheme reach every eligible beneficiary in a timely and transparent manner. She stressed that applications should be processed without delay so that no deserving family is deprived of government assistance.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Punjab Government remains dedicated to social justice and public welfare and will continue to strengthen people-centric schemes to support poor and needy families. She added that the government’s goal is to bring a smile to every daughter’s face and strengthen every family across Punjab.
