Priyadarshani Vivah Shagun Scheme expanded

By Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, MARCH 29

The Haryana Government today decided to expand the scope of ‘Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Vivah Shagun Scheme’ by extending its benefit also to the beneficiaries of general categories that is non Scheduled Castes and non Backward Classes and the scheme would be effective from April 1, 2013. While the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes will continue to implement the scheme for beneficiaries of reserved categories, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment would cover the beneficiaries of only general categories.

          A decision to this effect was taken in a meeting of the State Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister, Mr Bhupinder Singh Hooda here today.     

          The scheme aims at providing financial assistance on the occasion of marriage of daughters of eligible beneficiaries which included the people of general categories living below poverty line, widows living below poverty line, families having land holding of less than 2.5 acres or income less than Rs one lakh per annum; woman who becomes widow or divorcee and wants remarriage provided she is otherwise eligible for the assistance and have not availed this assistance earlier for her own marriage.

            Other such beneficiaries included destitute girls living in Government or Government aided NGOs or institutions, orphan girls living with their guardians and the condition of Below Poverty Line will not be applicable in this case.

            As regards the criteria for eligibility is concerned, the beneficiary should be Haryana domicile, the girl must be at least 18 years of age that is the minimum legal age for the marriage of a girl on the date of marriage; the name of the beneficiary should be in the list of below poverty line, if assistance is being sought on this ground; this assistance will be given only up to the marriage of two daughters in a family; the beneficiary will provide a certificate regarding age proof of the girl such as birth certificate/ matric certificate/certificate issued by Doctor of Primary Health Centre; the beneficiary will provide a certificate regarding land holding issued by concerned Patwari; self attested declaration may be provided by the beneficiary in regards to his/her income.

            A financial assistance of Rs 31,000 will be given to the widow, orphans, and destitute girls. Similarly, Rs 10,000 would be given to the families having land holding of less than 2.5 acres or income less than Rs one lakh per annum. The other beneficiaries who are not covered in the above criteria would get Rs 11,000.

            The parents/guardians seeking this assistance will submit the application to respective District Social Welfare Officer at least one month prior to the marriage on the prescribed proforma.

            Application submitted after the completion of marriage ceremony (not later than 30 days) will be put up to concerned District Social Welfare Officer, application submitted after the completion of marriage ceremony (not later than 60 days) will be put up to concerned Deputy Commissioner and in exceptional circumstances, application submitted up to six months after the completion of marriage ceremony shall also be entertained and will be put up to concerned Principal Secretary.

            In case of destitute girls living in Government or Government aided NGOs/institutions, application form for the assistance under the scheme may be submitted by the Head of the institution. Besides this, an affidavit should be taken from the Head of the institution that they have not taken any type of grant/financial assistance from other source of the Government or Government institution.