The Punjab Government has taken a major policy decision to release Rs.45 crore as financial assistance under shagun scheme to the 30,000 beneficiaries.Disclosing this Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike for SC/BC Welfare Minister said that it has been brought to the notice of the Government that the scores of eligible beneficiaries had not received financial assistance due to delay in submission of applications by them in time for claiming r Shagun .He said that the State Government has also decided to provide Shagun to all the categories irrespective of cast. He said that the only condition for claiming Shagun would be the fulfillment of parameters of economic weaker section though the beneficiary belong to any cast. He said that the department has cleared all pending cases of Shagun Scheme up till June, 2016.The Minister further said that under the Shagun Scheme the financial assistance to those girls is being provided who attains majority and whose family income from all sources has not exceed Rs.32,790 per year. He said that eligible candidate and parents/guardians must be bonafide resident of the Punjab.