Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has extended financial assistance of over ?4.06 crore to 1,353 inter-caste married couples during the current financial year, Punjab Social Justice, Empowerment and Minorities Minister Baljit Kaur said on Monday. She said that the scheme, implemented under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955, aims to encourage inter-caste marriages, strengthen social integration and uphold the constitutional ideals of equality, fraternity and social justice. Kaur said that every eligible inter-caste married couple is provided financial assistance of ?50,000, of which ?30,000 is directly credited into the beneficiary’s Aadhaar-seeded bank account, while the remaining ?20,000 is provided through a National Savings Certificate (NSC) issued through the Post Office, ensuring both immediate financial support and long-term financial security.