IEP Chandigarh, December 13
Punjab Government led by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has distributed Rs. 16161.31 crore of amount to 19646 beneficiaries of scheduled castes and 12090 beneficiaries of backward classes and economically weaker sections under the Ashirwad scheme during current financial year.Social justice, Empowerment & Minorities Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said 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. Baljit Kaur pointed out that in order to avail the Ashirwad scheme, the applicant should be a permanent resident of Punjab state, family should fall in BPL category, the applicant should belong to Scheduled Caste, Backward Classes and other economically weaker families and all the family members’ annual income from all sources is less than Rs. 32,790. Two daughters of such a family are eligible to avail the benefit of this scheme.Punjab Government is committed to the welfare of people of scheduled castes, backward classes and economically weaker sections.The Minister added that the financial assistance is credited directly into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, which are being linked with Aadhaar.
