Himanta Biswa Sarma Announced ‘Arundhati Gold Scheme’ for Newly-wed Women

* Couples will have to fulfill some criteria

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: From January 2020, the State government will launch the ‘Arundhati Gold Scheme’. This was announced by Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma here on Wednesday. An amount of Rs 300 crore has been earmarked in the Budget. From next fiscal, the amount will be hiked to Rs 800 crore. He further said that the scheme has a three-point linkage system. While ensuring women empowerment through their education, it will also check child marriages.

Providing details of the Arundhati scheme, Minister Sarma said that a newly married woman will get an amount of Rs 30,000 to procure gold. However, the following five conditions must be fulfilled by the newly married couple:

* The marriage must be as per the conditions set in the ‘Special Marriage Act-1954’;

* The couples must be at least matriculates. This rule is, however, relaxed for the tea tribes and the adivasis;

* The minimum age of the bride must be 18 years; and the groom’s minimum age must be 21 years;

* For ascertaining the ages of these couples, only the ages mentioned in their admit cards issued by the SEBA (Board of Secondary Education, Assam) or the CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) will be accepted;

* The combined annual income of the bride and her father must be below Rs 5 lakh.

Stating that “on the average, 3 lakh marriages are solemnized in Assam annually”, Minister Sarma pointed out that “however, only 50,000 to 60,000 of these marriages are registered.” This has an adverse effect on the married women in general especially if divorces take place. When marriages are not registered, the concerned women fail to fight their cases legally, he said, adding that “From now on, marriage registrations will be possible not only in the Sub Registrar’s Office but also in the Circle offices and the additional Circle offices.”

Referring to the registration procedure, he said that the couple will have to fill up the form on the ‘Gold Scheme’ at the office concerned. If everything is as per the set norms, the earmarked amount of Rs 30,000 will get automatically transferred to the bride’s account within 10 days. However, the couple will have to submit the receipt of the procured gold at the same office where the marriage has been registered.

Also Read: Assam Government to provide 1 Tola gold to brides under the Arundhati Scheme

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