Chandigarh, July 25 -- The Punjab government has released Rs.14.12 crore under the Ashirwad Scheme to provide financial assistance of Rs.51,000 each to 2,769 eligible beneficiaries across 19 districts during financial year 2026-27. Announcing this on Friday, social justice, empowerment and minorities minister Dr Baljit Kaur said the Ashirwad Scheme provided financial aid of Rs.51,000 for the marriage of eligible girls from economically weaker families. She said applicants must be permanent residents of Punjab and belong to Below Poverty Line families from the Scheduled Castes, Backward Classes or other Economically Weaker Sections. The annual family income from all sources should not exceed Rs.32,790, and the benefit is available for up to two daughters in an eligible family. The minister said the financial assistance was transferred directly into beneficiaries' bank accounts through the Direct Benefit Transfer system, ensuring transparency, accountability and timely disbursal....