North News
Chandigarh, January 18
The Punjab Government has allocated ₹30.35 crore to 5,951 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries under the Ashirwad Scheme during the ongoing fiscal year 2024-25, Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said on Saturday. The funds address pending applications from the previous year and new ones submitted through the Ashirwad Portal. Beneficiaries span 16 districts, including Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, and Patiala.
Dr. Kaur detailed the financial aid distribution, highlighting 1,230 recipients in Ferozepur, 1,263 in Jalandhar, and 530 in Patiala. Other districts also saw significant coverage under the scheme, which grants ₹51,000 to support the marriage of daughters from low-income families.
The Ashirwad Scheme is aimed at permanent residents of Punjab from Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and economically weaker families with an annual income below ₹32,790. Each eligible family can receive assistance for up to two daughters, with the funds directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts to ensure transparency. “The Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and economically weaker sections, working tirelessly to uplift their living standards and economic stability,” Dr. Kaur added.
