Gurdaspur, June 9, 2025 : Under the leadership of Chief Minister Mr. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab government has provided significant relief to the residents of the state by releasing an amount of ₹16.36 crore during the current financial year 2025-26 under the Ashirwad Scheme to 3,207 beneficiaries belonging to backward classes and economically weaker sections.
Providing further details, Mr. Jagraup Singh Sekhon, Chairman of the District Planning Committee, Gurdaspur, said that under the Ashirwad Scheme for backward classes and economically weaker sections, applications of a total of 3,207 beneficiaries from the districts of Gurdaspur, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Mansa, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Patiala, Pathankot, S.A.S. Nagar, Sangrur, Malerkotla, and Tarn Taran were received on the Ashirwad Portal during the current year. To cover these 3,207 beneficiaries, an amount of ₹16.36 crore has been released.
Mr. Jagraup Singh Sekhon stated that with this amount, financial benefits have been given to 135 beneficiaries in Gurdaspur, 94 in Barnala, 219 in Bathinda, 80 in Faridkot, 41 in Fatehgarh Sahib, 137 in Fazilka, 602 in Hoshiarpur, 123 in Jalandhar, and 27 in Kapurthala. Similarly, beneficiaries include 254 in Mansa, 64 in Moga, 43 in Sri Muktsar Sahib, 616 in Patiala, 127 in Pathankot, 200 in S.A.S. Nagar, 288 in Sangrur, 16 in Malerkotla, and 141 in Tarn Taran. He further explained that under the Ashirwad Scheme, the state government provides financial assistance of ₹51,000 for the marriage of girls belonging to low-income families in the state.
Chairman Jagraup Singh Sekhon said that to avail the benefit of the Ashirwad Scheme, the applicant must be a permanent resident of Punjab, their family should be below the poverty line, and belong to Scheduled Castes, backward classes, or other economically weaker families with an annual family income of less than ₹32,790. Two daughters from such families are eligible to benefit from this scheme.
He added that financial assistance is directly deposited into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system. He said that the Punjab government is working rapidly to raise the living standards and strengthen economically the people of all communities. He stated that the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is committed not only to the welfare of other communities but also continuously working for the betterment of Scheduled Castes, backward classes, and economically weaker sections.
Summary:
Jagraup Singh Sekhon announced the release of ₹16.36 crore in funds aimed at supporting forward rehabilitation measures for backward and economically weaker communities, enhancing social welfare initiatives.