93 inter-caste couples await grant of Rs50K in Muktsar

BLURB: Not paid incentive since 2014

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, December 3

As many as 93 couples in Muktsar district are awaiting since 2014 the monetary benefit of Rs 50,000 each promised by the Union and the state government for the inter-caste marriage.

The Centre and the state government had introduced the inter-caste marriage benefit scheme to abolish the caste consciousness and untouchability, in which the ratio of contribution is 50 per cent, for the state as well as the Centre.

Initially, Rs 25,000 was fixed as the total benefit amount but in 2011, the amount was doubled to Rs 50,000. Under the scheme, a beneficiary is given Rs 30,000 cheque and the remaining amount of Rs 20,000 is given in the form of national savings certificates.

An inter-caste marriage, for the purpose of this scheme, means a marriage in which one of the spouses belongs to the Scheduled Caste and the other belongs to a non-Scheduled Caste. The claimants can apply within a year of their marriage.

Muktsar District Welfare Officer Jagmohan Singh said: “After 2011-12, we received 163 applications. Of which, 22 were rejected and 48 applicants till 2013-14 were given the benefit just a few months ago. Now, 93 couples are yet to get the benefit in Muktsar district. These will be cleared soon.”