Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur, informed that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government has released ₹13.74 crore for 2,694 beneficiaries during the financial year 2025-26 under the Ashirwad Scheme. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to economically weaker families at the time of marriage of their daughters.
She said that this assistance is proving to be a major relief for financially weaker families and the government is ensuring that no eligible family is deprived of the benefit of this scheme. Providing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that beneficiaries from districts Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla and Tarn Taran have been provided financial assistance under the Ashirwad Scheme.
The Social Justice Minister further stated that 70 beneficiaries from Barnala, 253 from Bathinda, 13 from Faridkot, 38 from Ferozepur, 72 from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, 211 from Gurdaspur, 267 from Hoshiarpur, 134 from Ludhiana and 275 from Mansa have received financial benefits. Similarly, 43 beneficiaries from Moga, 129 from Patiala, 212 from Pathankot, 336 from Rupnagar, 163 from SAS Nagar, 29 from SBS Nagar, 79 from Sangrur, 171 from Malerkotla and 199 from Tarn Taran have also been provided assistance.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further informed that under the Ashirwad Scheme, financial assistance of ₹51,000 is provided for the marriage of girls belonging to low-income families, which offers significant financial support to such families. The Cabinet Minister said that to avail the benefit of the scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family and be from Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes or other economically weaker sections.
She added that families with annual income below ₹32,790 are eligible, and up to two daughters from such families can avail the benefit under this scheme. She further informed that the financial assistance is transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), ensuring transparency and timely disbursement.
Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of every section of society and is continuously making efforts to economically empower Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and economically weaker sections.