The Punjab Government has issued instructions to disburse Shagun of Rs. 15000 in the bank account of beneficiary brides before the marriage date. Disclosing this here today Gulzar Singh Ranike, Scheduled Castes/ Backward Classes Welfare said that SAD-BJP Government has streamlined the shagun disbursal process to the eligible girls belonging to Scheduled Castes, Christians, Backward Classes and Economically Weaker families or in the case of remarriage of widows and porcee beneficiaries belonging Scheduled Castes. He said that now the beneficiaries would have to apply for availing this scheme 15 days before commencement of marriage completing all the necessary formalities. He said that the applicants would file their applications with the District/ Tehsil Welfare Officers and it would be their duty to disburse the amount in the bank account of beneficiaries in stipulated time frame. He said that Punjab Government has taken this decision to provide prior financial help to the families before marriages of their wards and to make the scheme more transparent. He said that applicants, who would apply for the scheme before 2 weeks of marriage, can get the benefit in given time frame and the other cases would automatically become invalid and the amounts would be transferred in the bank accounts of beneficiaries through Online Banking Management System. Ranike also appealed the beneficiaries to mention their exact account number at the time of filling up their forms and do mention name of the bank along with IFS code.