Chandigarh: Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that the Punjab Government has released a total amount of ₹8.76 crore for 1,718 beneficiaries from backward classes and economically weaker sections under the Ashirwad Scheme during the current financial year 2025-26.
Providing further details Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Ashirwad Scheme, applications from beneficiaries in Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Firozpur, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, and Malerkotla were received during the current financial year. To cover all these beneficiaries, ₹8.76 crore has been disbursed.
She added that the distribution of financial aid includes: Barnala – 7 beneficiaries, Bathinda – 171, Faridkot – 14, Firozpur – 46, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib – 61, Gurdaspur – 344, Hoshiarpur – 23, Jalandhar – 174, Moga – 163, Sri Muktsar Sahib – 42, Patiala – 148, Rupnagar – 154, SAS Nagar – 52, SBS Nagar – 123, Sangrur – 101, and Malerkotla – 95 beneficiaries.
Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the Ashirwad Scheme, financial assistance of ₹51,000 is provided for the marriage of girls from low-income families. The Cabinet Minister said that to avail the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belong to a family below the poverty line, and have a total annual family income of less than ₹32,790. Each eligible family can avail the benefit for up to two daughters.
She further stated that the financial assistance is transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through DBT. Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that the Punjab Government is committed to uplifting the living standards of all sections of society and empowering them economically.
The Minister added that under the leadership of Chief Minister S.Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is not only working for the welfare of all sections but is also continuously striving for the betterment of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections.
