HYDERABAD: With a view to encourage

, the

government has enhanced incentives from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.50 lakh. The amount will be deposited in the bank with a lock-in period of three years. When the scheme was launched 10 years ago, the amount was just Rs 10,000 and it was increased to Rs 50,000 in 2011.

According to government order issued (no 12) by the Scheduled Castes Development department on Thursday, the decision has been taken based on the ministry of social justice and empowerment as the Centre releases 50 per cent of the total incentive amount. The order said the enhancement was made to encourage inter-caste marriages and to combat the evil of casteism in the society.

In another order, the state government has decided to provide additional relief to the victims of murder, death, massacre, rape,

, permanent incapacitation and dacoity and complete destruction or burning of houses of people belonging to the schedule castes and scheduled tribes.

According to the order (GO No 13), the additional relief to the victims of murder, rape, massacre, gang rape and other incidents, the victims or the families get basic pension to the widow or other dependents belonging to the SC/ST amount to Rs 5,000 per month and employment to one member of the deceased family. The district collectors shall provide them three acres agriculture land, provision of a house and full cost of the education, up to graduation.