India, July 14 -- Chandigarh

The Punjab Transparency and Accountability Commission (PTAC) has cracked down on administrative delays by issuing show-cause notices to eight district social justice and empowerment officers (DSJEOs) for failing to clear a backlog of over 2,800 applications under the flagship Punjab Ashirwad Scheme, which provides Rs.51,000 in financial assistance for the marriage of daughters from economically weaker families.

The commission found that applications remained pending well beyond the prescribed timelines, with Gurdaspur recording the highest pendency of 836 cases, triggering disciplinary proceedings against the officials concerned. The pendency relates to applications processed between July 1, 2025, and June 3...