Financial assistance disbursed across 15 districts under the Ashirwad Scheme
Punjab E News: Reaffirming the Punjab Government’s strong commitment to social justice and inclusive development, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the State Government is continuously working to bring marginalized and underprivileged sections into the social mainstream through well-planned and transparent welfare schemes.
In this direction, Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said that under the Ashirwad Scheme, financial assistance amounting to ₹24.57 crore has been released during the current financial year 2025–26 for the marriages of daughters belonging to Scheduled Caste families. A total of 4,817 eligible beneficiaries have been covered under the scheme.
Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that a total of 4,817 applications were received through the Ashirwad portal from 15 districts—Sri Amritsar Sahib, Barnala, Faridkot, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, SAS Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla and Tarn Taran—and financial assistance has been released to all eligible applicants.
She informed that beneficiaries include 739 from Sri Amritsar Sahib, 172 from Barnala, 190 from Faridkot, 124 from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, 437 from Gurdaspur, 471 from Hoshiarpur and 135 from Jalandhar. Similarly, beneficiaries from Ludhiana (272), Moga (260), Sri Muktsar Sahib (410), Patiala (519), SAS Nagar (124), Sangrur (305), Malerkotla (98) and Tarn Taran (561) have also been provided financial support under the scheme.
The Cabinet Minister stated that under the Ashirwad Scheme, financial assistance of ₹51,000 is provided for the marriage of daughters belonging to low-income families, offering meaningful support at a crucial stage of their lives.
She clarified that to avail benefits under the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, fall below the poverty line, and belong to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes or other economically weaker sections. Families with an annual income below ₹32,790 are eligible to avail benefits for up to two daughters.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further added that the entire financial assistance is transferred directly into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency, accountability and timely disbursement.
Concluding, she said that the Punjab Government remains firmly committed to strengthening the social security framework and accelerating inclusive development, ensuring that welfare schemes reach every eligible family with dignity and transparency.
