DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is steadfast in its commitment to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and Economically Weaker Sections. Today, Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister of Social Justice, Empowerment and Minority Affairs, announced at a press conference in Chandigarh the approval of Rs 34 crore for 6786 beneficiaries under the state's Ashirwad scheme.

Giving more information in this regard, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that for the fiscal year 2023-24, an amount of Rs.2732.07 lakh has been sanctioned for 5357 beneficiaries from Scheduled Castes.

She added that the state government has sanctioned Rs.728.79 lakh for 1429 beneficiaries from Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections for the year 2023-24. This amount will be disbursed directly into the beneficiaries' bank accounts.

The Minister explained that Ashirwad scheme provides financial assistance for the marriage or remarriage of girls belonging to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections in Punjab, with eligibility extending to two girls per family. Applicants are required to submit their applications either before or within 30 days of the marriage date. To enhance transparency, the Punjab Government launched the Ashirwad portal in April 2023 for online application submissions.

She further added that eligibility criteria for the Ashirwad scheme require applicants to be permanent residents of Punjab, belong to the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or Economically Weaker Sections, have an annual family income of less than Rs. 32,790 and fall below the poverty line. Financial assistance is available for up to two daughters per eligible family.

Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that directions has been given to departmental officials to expedite the processing of pending cases to ensure timely disbursement to beneficiaries.

Answering the question of Journalist during the press conference, Dr. Baljit Kaur confirmed that stringent measures are being implemented to identify and penalize fraudulent beneficiaries under the Ashirwad scheme.

She emphasized that the Punjab Government remains committed to the welfare of Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes and Economically Weaker Sections, with all financial assistance being directly transferred to beneficiaries' bank accounts.
(editor@dailyworld.in)