NEW DELHI: In a significant move to support economically weaker families, the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has released ₹29.33 crore under the ‘Aashirwad Scheme’ for the marriage of 5,751 daughters. The initiative aims to ease the financial burden of weddings for families from Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, and other economically disadvantaged sections, ensuring dignity and happiness for the beneficiaries.
Chief Minister Mann emphasized that the government’s goal is to make Punjab prosperous while ensuring that every citizen, especially those from vulnerable communities, can live with dignity. The funds released under the Aashirwad Scheme are a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to social justice, inclusive development, and public welfare.
Punjab’s Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that applications from 5,751 beneficiaries were received through the Aashirwad portal from 17 districts, including Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Firozpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar, Sangrur, and Malerkotla. The financial assistance of ₹51,000 per daughter has been directly transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and eliminating middlemen.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further explained that the scheme covers families with an annual income not exceeding ₹32,790 and provides support for a maximum of two daughters per family. The initiative has prioritized thousands of pending applications that were delayed during previous administrations, reflecting the Mann government’s focus on delivering results and addressing the needs of the people efficiently.
The Aashirwad Scheme, previously known as the ‘Shagun Scheme’, has now been transformed into a comprehensive support system that ensures poor families can conduct their daughters’ weddings without financial distress. The initiative also sends a strong social message: every daughter, irrespective of her family’s financial condition, is valued equally.
This release of ₹29.33 crore highlights the Punjab government’s continued commitment to uplifting vulnerable communities, promoting social equity, and ensuring inclusive development. The scheme has brought relief and joy to thousands of families across Punjab, underlining the government’s dedication to public welfare and humanity.
The Mann government’s Aashirwad Scheme has thus become a model of effective governance and social responsibility, ensuring that even the poorest families can celebrate significant life events with dignity and pride.
