Shaadi Mubarak: Over 2L women availed TS scheme in 8 yrs
The Telangana government introduced the Shaadi Mubarak scheme for the social development of Minorities in 2014. As part of this scheme, the government provides a one-time grant of Rs. 51,000 to Minority girls at the time of their marriage. In 2017, orders were issued to raise the financial assistance from Rs. 51,000 to Rs. 75,116.
By Amrutha Kosuru Published on 19 Dec 2022 3:11 AM GMT
Hyderabad: Since its inception in 2014, 2,11,285 persons have benefited under the Shaadi Mubarak scheme, revealed an RTI.
The RTI was filed by Kareem Ansari. "I strongly believe that this is a very good scheme. However, I saw that many women were receiving the money very late. I hope that changes," he said.
Kareen sought district-wise and age-wise data in his RTI. Age-wise data is not available, as per the RTI.
What is Shaadi Mubarak?
The Telangana government introduced the Shaadi Mubarak scheme for the social development of Minorities in 2014. As part of this scheme, the government provides a one-time grant of Rs. 51,000 to Minority girls at the time of their marriage. In 2017, orders were issued to raise the financial assistance from Rs. 51,000 to Rs. 75,116.
Till the financial year 2021-22, the government has distributed Rs. 1,688.54 crores. The highest amount—Rs. 356.04 crores—was distributed in 2019-20. In 2018-19 and 2020-21, Rs. 291.40 crores was distributed.
In the first years of its launch, the welfare scheme had very few takers. Only 5,443 beneficiaries were recorded throughout the state. The numbers shot up to 27,695 the following year (2015-16).
Most beneficiaries from Hyderabad
More than half of the total number of beneficiaries are from Hyderabad. Between 2014-2022 (until March), 1,81,378 persons benefited from the Shaadi Mubarak scheme.
Other districts with a good number of beneficiaries are Rangareddy, Sangareddy, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Adilabad, and Nizamabad amongst others.
Districts like Jangaon, Jayashakar Bhupalpally, Warangal, Mulugu, and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri received very few applications for the scheme.
Varsha Bhargavi from the group 'Where are the Women' said the welfare scheme needs to be stopped. "This scheme promotes child marriage. Instead of giving money after marriage, the money can be given to a woman so that she can use it however she wills—for marriage or education," she said.
Eligibility criteria for the scheme
· The unmarried girl shall belong to the minority community and shall be a resident of Telangana state.
· The unmarried girl should have completed 18 years of age at the time of marriage.
· The wedding of the said girl shall be on or after 2 October 2014.
· Furthermore, the combined income of the parents shall not exceed Rs. 2 lakhs per annum.
