Punjab Government Releases ₹383.52 Crore to 75,199 Beneficiaries Under Ashirwad Scheme
Chandigarh, August 22, 2026: Reaffirming its commitment to supporting daughters from economically weaker and underprivileged families, the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has released ₹383.52 crore to 75,199 beneficiaries under the Ashirwad Scheme during the financial years 2025-26 and 2026-27 so far.
Punjab Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Dr. Baljit Kaur said the scheme provides financial assistance to eligible families at the time of their daughters' marriages, helping them meet the expenses with dignity and greater financial security.
She said that during 2025-26, the government released ₹215.24 crore to 42,203 beneficiaries belonging to the Scheduled Castes category for their daughters' marriages. In addition, 20,212 beneficiaries from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) and Backward Classes received financial assistance amounting to ₹103.08 crore.
During 2026-27, financial assistance of ₹44.75 crore has so far been released to 8,774 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, while 4,010 beneficiaries from EWS and Backward Classes have been provided ₹20.45 crore.
₹51,000 Assistance for Daughter's Marriage
Dr. Baljit Kaur said 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 more deserving families to receive financial support.
To qualify for 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 must not exceed ₹32,790.
Assistance Transferred Directly Through DBT
The Cabinet Minister said the financial assistance is transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and timely disbursement.
Dr. Baljit Kaur directed all district and departmental officials to ensure that no eligible beneficiary is deprived of the benefits of the Ashirwad Scheme. Officials have been instructed to promptly dispose of eligible applications so that deserving families receive the assistance well before their daughters' marriages.
She further said that the Punjab Government is continuously working to bring poor, economically weaker and backward sections into the mainstream of society.
The government’s welfare initiatives, she added, are aimed at ensuring inclusive development and equal opportunities for every section of society and building a prosperous and inclusive “Rangla Punjab” based on equality, dignity and social justice.