Punjab Shagun Scheme: ₹31000 Marriage Assistance for Construction Workers Daughters

The Shagun Scheme is a welfare initiative by the Punjab Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, Department of Labour, Punjab. It provides financial assistance to registered workmen for the marriage of up to two daughters. The scheme also covers cases where a registered female workman can avail the benefit for her own first marriage. The assistance is granted only once per daughter (excluding second marriages) and is available exclusively to beneficiaries registered with the Board.

Benefits

• Financial Assistance:
  • A one-time grant of ₹31,000/- is provided for the marriage of each daughter.
• Usage Limitation:
  • The scheme covers the marriage of up to two daughters per registered worker (or one claim per marriage if the girl is herself a registered member).
  • It is applicable only on the first marriage.

Eligibility Criteria

For Registration as a Building/Construction Worker:

• Residency:
  • The applicant must be a resident of Punjab.
• Employment:
  • Must be an unorganised building or construction worker.
• Age:
  • Applicant’s age must be between 18 and 60 years.
• Work Experience:
  • Must have engaged in building and construction work for at least 90 days in a given year.
• Income:
  • Monthly income should be ₹15,000/- or below.
• Exclusivity:
  • Must not be a member of any other Welfare Fund under any law.
  • Must not have membership in EPF, NPS, ESIC, and should not be an income tax payer.

For Application under the Welfare Scheme:

• Beneficiary:
  • The applicant must be either:
    • A registered member (female) applying for her own marriage (first marriage only), or
    • An unmarried daughter of a registered construction worker.
• Marriage Requirement:
  • The scheme is applicable only for the first marriage.
• Number of Claims:
  • Benefits can be availed for up to two daughters’ marriages per family.
• Application Deadline:
  • The application must be submitted within 3 months after the marriage date.
• Exclusions:
  • The scheme does not apply to second marriages.
  • If both parents are registered workers, only one parent’s claim is considered for the benefit.

Application Process

Registration as a Building/Construction Worker:

• New Registration:
  • Approach the nearest Sewa Kendra or designated Registering Officers/Labour Inspector.
  • Complete Application Form No. 28, pay a one-time registration fee of ₹25/- and a monthly contribution fee of ₹10/-.
  • Registration is valid for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 5 years; a registered worker is termed as a “Beneficiary.”

Welfare Scheme Application Process (Offline via CSCs):

1. Download Application Form:
   • Visit the official website and click on “Downloads” at the top of the menu.
   • Download the form corresponding to the Shagun Scheme.
2. Fill and Attach Documents:
   • Complete all mandatory fields on the application form.
   • Attach copies of all required documents (self-attested, if necessary).
3. Submission:
   • Submit the duly filled and signed application form along with the documents to the concerned officer in the Labour Department.
4. Receipt:
   • Request a receipt or acknowledgment that includes the date and time of submission and a unique identification number, if applicable.

Documents Required

For Registration as a Building/Construction Worker:

• Age Proof:
  • Valid age proof or self-declaration if unavailable.
• Residence Proof.
• Aadhaar Card:
  • Copy (if available).
• Bank Account Details:
  • Details including bank branch, account number, and IFSC/RTGS number.
• Dependents Details.
• Employer’s Certificate
  • Certifying at least 90 days of construction work in the last 12 months.
• Nomination Form .

For the Welfare Scheme Application:

• Marriage Documents:
  • Registered Marriage Certificate.
• Photographs:
  • Photo of the bride and marriage ceremony.
• Age Proof of the Bride:
  • Certificate from school, medical, or birth records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Who can register as a beneficiary under the BOCW Welfare Board of Punjab?

  • Unorganised building and construction workers residing in Punjab who meet the specified eligibility criteria.

• Is there a minimum service requirement for registration?

  • Yes, workers must have at least 90 days of construction work in the last 12 months.

• Who can apply for the Shagun Scheme?

  • Either a registered female construction worker applying for her own first marriage or an unmarried daughter of a registered worker.

• Can I apply for the Shagun Scheme for more than two daughters?

  • No, the scheme benefits are limited to the marriage of up to two daughters per registered worker.

• Is the scheme applicable if my daughter is getting married for the second time?

  • No, it is applicable only for the first marriage.

• Can a daughter who is herself a registered beneficiary apply for the scheme for her own marriage?

  • Yes, if she is a registered member and it is her first marriage.

• What is the deadline for submitting the application after the marriage?

  • The application must be submitted within 3 months after the marriage date.

• Can I avail of the Shagun Scheme if I have already received similar benefits from another Punjab Government department?

  • No, the beneficiary must not have received similar benefits from any other government scheme.

• What is the amount of financial assistance provided under this scheme?

  • The scheme provides ₹31,000/- per daughter’s marriage.

• What form is used to apply for this welfare scheme?

  • The application form is available for download from the official website under the “Downloads” section.

• Whom should I approach to get the benefits of this welfare scheme?

  • Applications should be submitted to the nearest Sewa Kendra or designated Registering Officers/Labour Inspector.

Sources & References

• Guidelines
• Required Documents
• FAQs