Punjab govt releases ₹12.66 Crore under 'ashirwad' scheme for backward classes & EWS

Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of backward classes and economically weaker sections (EWS), the Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has released ₹12.66 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme during the current financial year.

Social Justice, Empowerment, and Minorities

Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur announced that the funds will benefit 2,483 beneficiaries across multiple districts, covering pending applications from 2023-24 and 2024-25 received through the Ashirwad Portal.

District-Wise Breakdown of Beneficiaries

The assistance will reach eligible individuals in 15 districts, including:

Gurdaspur (656), Tarn Taran (645), Ferozepur (198), Fazilka (175), Patiala (144), Hoshiarpur (277), Mansa (102), Fatehgarh Sahib (82), Malerkotla (60), Sangrur (38), Barnala (45), Faridkot (19), Jalandhar (34), Rupnagar (5), and SAS Nagar (3).

Eligibility & Scheme Benefits
Dr. Kaur emphasized that the Ashirwad Scheme is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible families.
To qualify, applicants must:

Be permanent residents of Punjab.

Belong to Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes, or EWS families living below the poverty line.
Have a total annual family income below ₹32,790.
Be daughters of the household, with up to two daughters per family eligible for assistance.
The Minister reiterated the Punjab Government’s commitment to uplifting marginalized communities and ensuring direct financial transfers to beneficiaries’ bank accounts, eliminating middlemen and enhancing transparency.