CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is continuously working for the welfare of every class, while it is also continuously working for the welfare of the backward classes and economically weaker sections. Punjab Government has been released an amount of Rs 13.16 crore under the Ashirwad scheme for the backward classes and economically weaker sections during the current year. This was expressed by Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.
Divulging in this regard, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the Ashirwad scheme, districts Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SBS Nagar, Sangrur and Malerkotla for the year 2023-24 and the year 2024-25 to the beneficiaries of Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections beneficiaries applications received on the Ashirwad portal during the year 2024-25, an amount of Rs13.16 crore has been released. The release of this amount covered 2581 beneficiaries belonging to backward classes and economically weaker sections.
The Cabinet Minister further informed that under the Ashirwad scheme, financial assistance of up to Rs. 51, 000 is given by the state Government for the marriage of girls belonging to low-income families in the state.
Dr. Kaur explained that to qualify for the Ashirwad scheme, the applicant must be a permanent residents of Punjab, belong to Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes and other economically weaker families and their annual income should be less than Rs. 32, 790. The scheme provides benefits for up to two daughters per eligible families.
The Minister higlighted that the Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of the people of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections. She said that the payment of financial assistance is made directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.