Punjab Releases ₹22.66 Crore for 4,443 Beneficiaries Under Ashirwad Scheme
Punjab (The Uttam Hindu): The Punjab government has released ₹22.66 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme for 4,443 beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes during the current financial year 2025–26. Social Justice, Empowerment and Minority Affairs Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said the amount was approved after verifying and clearing eligible applications received from different districts.
Applications were submitted through the Ashirwad Portal from 15 districts, including Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Firozpur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Mansa, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, Sangrur and Malerkotla. All 4,443 eligible applicants from these districts are now being covered under the latest release of funds. Each beneficiary will receive ₹51,000 directly in their bank accounts through DBT, ensuring full transparency and quick access to the support.
Amritsar recorded the highest number of beneficiaries at 1,297, followed by Firozpur with 748 and Jalandhar with 470. Districts like Barnala, SAS Nagar and Rupnagar had fewer applications but were still fully accommodated under the scheme.
Dr. Baljit Kaur explained that the Ashirwad Scheme provides financial assistance for the marriage of daughters belonging to low-income families. The benefit is available only to permanent residents of Punjab who fall under Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes or economically weaker categories. A maximum of two daughters in each eligible family can receive support. She added that the direct transfer system ensures that the full amount reaches the beneficiary without delays or middlemen.
The minister said the Punjab government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to uplifting disadvantaged communities and ensuring that families from SC, BC and economically weaker backgrounds receive dignity, equal opportunities and support to become part of the mainstream. The latest fund release, she added, reflects the government’s focus on social welfare and targeted assistance for those who need it most.