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Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has disbursed Rs. 739.33 crore to 4, 92,887 beneficiaries under Shagun Scheme during the past 9 years. Now economically weaker sections belonging to any caste can claim grant under this flagship scheme.
Disclosing this here today, Welfare Minister, Punjab, Mr. Gulzar Singh Ranike said that in the year 2015-16 total 60,046 beneficiaries were given financial assistance of Rs. 90.07 Crore .Likewise Rs. 87.54 crore disbursed to 58,362 beneficiaries in year 2014-15 and 80,810 beneficiaries received Rs. 121.21 crore in 2013-14. While in the year 2012-13 total 82,287 beneficiaries were given a grant of Rs.124.30 crore under Shagun Scheme.
The Minister further said that earlier, benefit of Shagun Scheme was confined only to the families of Schedule caste/ backward class, Christian; widows/divorcee (on being remarried) but now, irrespective of the caste, the Punjab Government is providing the benefits of this Scheme to all girls of weaker sections. He said that SAD-BJP government has also cleared the backlog of pending cases during the tenure of the Congress Government.
The Minister said that under Shagun Scheme, any girl attaining the age of 18 years having family income not more than Rs. 32, 790 is eligible for the Shagun Grant. It is made mandatory that the guardians of beneficiary have to be a permanent resident of Punjab. Financial aid of Rs. 15, 000 is being given to the beneficiary under Shagun Scheme.
