Reaffirming the Punjab Government's commitment to supporting daughters from economically weaker and underprivileged families in beginning a new chapter of life with dignity, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has released financial assistance amounting to ₹383.52 crore to 75,199 beneficiaries under the Ashirwad Scheme during the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27 so far. This was disclosed by Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities, Dr. Baljit Kaur.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the Ashirwad Scheme reflects the Punjab Government's commitment to extending financial assistance to eligible families at the time of their daughters' marriages, thereby ensuring dignity, confidence and financial security for deserving beneficiaries.
Sharing further details, the Cabinet Minister said that during the financial year 2025-26, the Punjab Government released ₹215.24 crore to 42,203 beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Castes category for their daughters' marriages. In addition, 20,212 beneficiaries belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Backward Classes received financial assistance amounting to ₹103.08 crore.
She further informed that during the financial year 2026-27, financial assistance of ₹44.75 crore has so far been released to 8,774 beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Castes category, while 4,010 beneficiaries from the Economically Weaker Sections and Backward Classes have been provided ₹20.45 crore.
Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the Ashirwad Scheme, every eligible beneficiary is provided ₹51,000 as financial assistance for the marriage of a daughter. She added that two daughters from the same family are eligible to avail the benefits of the scheme, enabling a larger number of deserving families to receive timely support.
The Cabinet Minister further said that to avail the benefits of the scheme, the beneficiary must be a permanent resident of Punjab, belong to a family living below the poverty line, and the family's annual income from all sources should not exceed ₹32,790.
Highlighting the Government's commitment to transparency and efficient service delivery, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that the financial assistance is transferred directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring timely and transparent disbursement of funds.
Reiterating the Punjab Government's people-centric commitment, Dr. Baljit Kaur directed all district and departmental officials to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of the benefits of the Ashirwad Scheme. She instructed officials to dispose of all eligible applications promptly so that every deserving family receives financial assistance well before their daughters' marriages without any delay or inconvenience.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further said that the Punjab Government is continuously working to bring poor, economically weaker and backward sections into the mainstream of society. She added that the Government's welfare initiatives are aimed at ensuring inclusive development for every section of society, paving the way for a prosperous and inclusive "Rangla Punjab" founded on equality, dignity and equal opportunities.