The Andhra Pradesh government has come up with a scheme to provide financial aid for the marriage of poor women belonging to the minority community. The ‘Dulhan’ scheme proposes a one-time financial assistance of Rs.50,000 to unmarried women who are residents of the State. The earlier mass marriage scheme, wherein Rs.25,000 would be sanctioned for each bride, has been scrapped.

To avail the scheme, the bride should have completed 18 years and the bridegroom 21 at the time of marriage. Also, the annual income of the parents of beneficiaries should not exceed Rs.1.5 lakh in rural areas and Rs.2 lakh in urban areas. The cut-off date for availing the benefits of the scheme is April 1, 2015.

The Dulhan scheme follows the assurance given by the AP government in the Legislative Council that it would consider increasing the financial assistance provided for the marriage of poor women of the minority community. “No targets have been fixed, but the Chief Minister is keen to help every eligible girl,” said Shaikh Mohammed Iqbal, Special Secretary of the Minorities Welfare Department.

The government plans to tap into funds earmarked for the conduct of marriages by donors to Wakf institutions. Where the object of Wakf is fulfilled or has ceased, the funds will be utilised for marriage, education and socio-economic uplift of the community. This apart, the Special Development Fund of the Chief Minister can also be made use of if necessary, Mr. Iqbal said.

Online facility

He said instructions were being issued to all District Collectors to implement the scheme and identify Wakf funds for the scheme. Prospective brides have to apply online for the marriage incentive a month before the date of wedding. After verification, the District Minorities Welfare Officer will sanction the amount ten days prior to the marriage.

Prospective brides will be provided Rs.50,000, which will be released from donations to Wakf bodies and the Chief Minister’s Special Development Fund