In India, various state governments have recognized the socio-economic challenges faced by underprivileged sections of society, including poor girls, orphans, and widows, especially when it comes to marriage.
Why Marriage Assistance Schemes Are Required in India?
To address the above mentioned issues including poverty or other socio-economic issues, the government of India have introduced special schemes and financial support programs with the aim of providing assistance and promoting social inclusivity.
- Financial Support for Poor Girls: In many parts of India, poverty remains a significant obstacle to marriage for young girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Families may struggle to meet the traditional wedding expenses, including dowry demands that are still prevalent in some regions. To alleviate the financial burden and encourage the marriage of these girls, state governments have introduced various schemes that provide financial assistance, grants, or subsidies to their families during the marriage ceremony. This support helps in making the marriage process more accessible and ensures that the lack of financial resources does not become a hindrance to their marriage prospects.
- Support for Orphans: Orphans often face additional challenges when it comes to getting married. The absence of parental support and financial resources can make it difficult for them to find suitable partners and arrange a marriage. To address this issue, certain state governments have launched programs that offer financial aid, counseling, and other forms of support to orphaned individuals who wish to get married. This assistance aims to provide them with a better chance of finding a life partner and starting a new family.
- Financial Aid for Widows: Widows in India have historically faced social stigmatization and economic hardships. Many widows struggle to remarry due to societal norms and financial constraints. State governments recognize the plight of widows and have introduced specific welfare schemes to provide them with financial support during their remarriage. These schemes may include financial assistance, skill development programs, and counseling to help them rebuild their lives and find a new partner.
- Promotion of Widow Remarriage: Widow remarriage has been a challenging issue in traditional Indian society. Deep-rooted social norms and conservative attitudes have sometimes hindered widows from pursuing a new marriage. To challenge these prejudices and promote the idea of widow remarriage, some state governments have initiated awareness campaigns and incentive-driven programs. These campaigns aim to change societal perceptions, dispel myths and misconceptions surrounding widowhood, and highlight the importance of providing widows with a second chance at marital happiness.
Overall, the primary objective of these schemes is to provide a support system for vulnerable sections of society and promote social inclusivity. By assisting poor girls, orphans, and widows during their marriage, the state governments aim to create a more equitable and compassionate society where everyone has equal opportunities and access to basic rights, including the right to form a family and lead a fulfilling life.
Tamil Nadu Marriage Assistance Schemes
The Tamil Nadu (TN) government offers five different marriage assistance schemes to help poor and orphan girls get married, encourage widow remarriage, and support inter-caste marriages.
Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu Marriage Assistance Scheme
Benefits: Girls who completed 10th standard get Rs. 25,000 cheque and 8-gram gold coin. Those with a degree/diploma at the time of marriage get Rs. 50,000 cheque and 8-gram gold coin.
Eligibility: Parents’ income should not exceed Rs. 72,000 per annum. Bride must be above 18 years, and bridegroom should be above 21 years. Only one girl child from a family can apply. Submit the application 40 days before the wedding or at least one day before if unavoidable.
Dr. Dharmambal Ammaiyar Ninaivu Widow Remarriage Assistance Scheme
Benefits: Women aged 20-40 years get Rs. 15,000 cheque, Rs. 10,000 National Savings Certificate (NSC) bond, and 8-gram gold coin. Degree/diploma passed women get Rs. 30,000 cheque, Rs. 20,000 NSC bond, and 8-gram gold coin.
Eligibility: Bride must be between 20-40 years at the time of marriage. Submit the application within six months from the marriage date.
E.V.R. Maniyammaiyar Ninaivu Widow Daughter’s Marriage Assistance Scheme
Benefits: Girls who completed 10th standard get Rs. 25,000 cheque and 8-gram gold coin. Those with a degree/diploma at the time of marriage get Rs. 50,000 cheque and 8-gram gold coin.
Eligibility: The girl child’s parents’ income should not exceed Rs. 72,000 per annum. Bride must be above 18 years, and bridegroom should be above 21 years. Only one girl daughter of the poor widow is eligible. Submit the application 40 days before the wedding or at least one day before if unavoidable.
Annai Theresa Ninaivu Orphan Girls Marriage Assistance Scheme
Benefits: Girls who completed 10th standard get Rs. 25,000 cheque and 8-gram gold coin. Those with a degree/diploma at the time of marriage get Rs. 50,000 cheque and 8-gram gold coin.
Eligibility: Bride must be above 18 years, and bridegroom should be above 21 years. Submit the application 40 days before the wedding or at least one day before if unavoidable.
Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Ninaivu Intercaste Marriage Assistance Scheme
Benefits: Women get Rs. 15,000 cheque, Rs. 10,000 NSC bond, and 8-gram gold coin. Degree and diploma passed women get Rs. 30,000 cheque, Rs. 20,000 NSC bond, and 8-gram gold coin.
Eligibility: Bride must be above 18 years, and bridegroom should be above 21 years. The married couple should apply within two years from the date of marriage.
Jammu and Kashmir State Marriage Assistance Scheme
Benefits: One-time financial assistance of Rs. 50,000 before the girl’s marriage.
Eligibility: Girl should be of marriageable age and at least 8th pass or equivalent. Should not have availed financial benefits under other schemes. Submit the application at least one month before the marriage date.
Madhya Pradesh Marriage Assistance Scheme
Chief Minister Kalyani Marriage Assistance Scheme
Benefits: Widow gets Rs. 2 lakh for marriage, deposited in her bank account.
Eligibility: Widow must be at least 18 years, not an income taxpayer, and not a government employee or officer.
CM’s Disabled Marriage Incentive Scheme
Benefits: Disabled bride or groom gets Rs. 2 lakh, and Rs. 1 lakh when both are disabled.
Eligibility: Disabled person must be a native of Madhya Pradesh, bride above 18 years, groom above 21 years, head of the disabled person’s family not an income taxpayer, and bride or groom with more than 40% disability.
Overall Impact: These marriage assistance schemes aim to lessen financial burdens and promote social equality during the marriage ceremonies for disadvantaged individuals, supporting citizens during their children’s marriages.
Intercaste Marriage Schemes in India and various State Governments
Intercaste marriage schemes are essential in India due to deep-rooted caste-based discrimination and social inequalities. These schemes encourage social mixing, combat honor killings, and promote social cohesion. They challenge caste-based prejudices, empower marginalized groups, and foster unity among diverse communities. Aligned with constitutional values, these schemes aim to create a more inclusive and harmonious society by providing financial support and incentives for couples who choose to marry outside their caste.
Haryana – Mukhya Mantri Samajik Samrasta Antarjatiya Vivah Shagun Yojana (50:50)
The Mukhya Mantri Samajik Samrasta Antarjatiya Vivah Shagun Yojana (50:50) is a scheme jointly funded by the Government of India and the State Government. Its primary objective is to promote communal harmony by encouraging inter-caste marriages in Haryana.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Both spouses must be citizens of India.
- One of the spouses should belong to the Scheduled Caste category and be a permanent resident of Haryana State.
- The spouse seeking benefits should not have availed of similar incentives from any other scheme.
- The grant is applicable only for the first marriage.
- The application for the incentive should be made within 3 years from the date of marriage.
Incentive Pattern:
- An amount of Rs. 1,25,000 will be transferred directly to the joint account of the married couple immediately after marriage.
- The remaining balance of Rs. 1,25,000 will be deposited in the joint account of the couple, which will be locked for a period of 3 years.
Application Procedure: Applicants can submit their applications for this scheme through the SARAL online portal at https://saralharyana.gov.in.
The Mukhya Mantri Samajik Samrasta Antarjatiya Vivah Shagun Yojana aims to provide financial support to inter-caste couples in Haryana, fostering a sense of unity and social cohesion among different communities. By encouraging inter-caste marriages, the government seeks to promote inclusivity and bridge gaps between different sections of society.
Dr Ambedkar Scheme for Social Integration through Inter-Caste Marriages
The Dr. Ambedkar Scheme, introduced by the Union Government, aims to foster social integration by promoting inter-caste marriages. The scheme recognizes and supports the courageous step taken by couples opting for inter-caste marriages, empowering them during the early stages of their life together. The primary objective is to enhance social equality and inclusivity among all citizens. Dr. Ambedkar Scheme operates as a complementary initiative alongside employment generation and poverty alleviation schemes.
Under this scheme, eligible couples who legally enter into an inter-caste marriage are entitled to an incentive of Rs. 2.50 lakh. The incentive is provided in two installments: 50% in the form of a demand draft issued jointly in the names of the couple, and the remaining 50% after a period of 5 years.
The scheme targets 500 marriages annually in each state, proportionate to the Scheduled Caste population percentage as per Census 2011. District authorities receive an additional amount of Rs. 25,000 for organizing a suitable event where the incentive is ceremoniously handed over to the couple.
Eligibility criteria for availing the incentive include:
- Either the bride or groom must belong to the Scheduled Caste community, while the other partner must be from a different community.
- The marriage must be legally registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, and the couple should provide valid documents proving their marriage within one year of the wedding.
- In the case of second or subsequent marriages, no incentive is provided.
- The combined annual income of the married couple should not exceed Rs. 5 lakh.
- Couples who have already received an incentive from the state or Union Territory government are ineligible for further benefits under this scheme.
Rajasthan – Dr. Savita Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme
The Rajasthan government has launched the “Dr. Savita Ben Ambedkar Inter-Caste Marriage Help Scheme” to encourage unions between Hindu(other non-Scheduled Caste) and Scheduled Caste individuals. To promote such inter-caste marriages, the government is offering a reward of Rs. 10 lakh to eligible couples. However, there are certain conditions to qualify for the incentive.
Inter-caste marriages are eligible for the reward only if the couples are below 35 years of age, and they will receive only half of the incentive money initially. The remaining amount will be deposited as a fixed deposit in a joint account in a nationalized bank and can be claimed after eight years of marriage.
This scheme allows inter-caste marriages solely between Hindus, and polygamy is strictly prohibited.
In conclusion, marriage assistance schemes have emerged as vital instruments in the pursuit of a more inclusive and equitable society. By incentivizing and supporting inter-caste marriages, these government initiatives challenge age-old social norms, combat discrimination, and promote social integration. These schemes not only provide much-needed financial aid to couples embarking on a new journey together but also serve as a powerful catalyst in reshaping societal attitudes towards caste, gender, and community affiliations. As these programs continue to evolve and expand across different regions, it is evident that they hold the potential to foster greater harmony and unity among diverse communities, fostering a nation that celebrates love, equality, and diversity. Through these meaningful endeavors, marriage assistance schemes stand as beacons of progress, bridging the gaps that have hindered social cohesion for generations, and paving the way towards a brighter and more inclusive future for India.