Guwahati: The Assam Government on Thursday launched the Arundhati Gold Scheme in the state. Under the scheme, the state government will provide Rs. 40,000 to brides whose marriage is registered under the Special Marriage Act 1954.
Assam Finance Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma attended the ceremonial distribution of the Arundhati Gold Scheme at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra, Guwahati.
Speaking at the occasion Dr. Sarma said, “Whenever a girl is married socially she must register the marriage under the Special Marriage Act 1954 so that she can secure her future and can be a legal heir to her husband’s property in every way. In this way, the next generation can also take the benefits legally. I hope that in the coming time the marriage registration will be a compulsory act after the social marriage is solemnised and only after that all the daughters and sisters will be benefited across Assam. Marriage registration can go a long way in securing the future of our sisters in their married life”.
“I request all the parents of the girls that they should ask the groom to register the marriage under Hindu Marriage Act or Special Marriage Act 1954 before the marriage is socially solemnized, only then one should go forward with the further rituals of marriage,” said Dr. Sarma.
The minister also said that the marriage registration must be made compulsory irrespective of caste, creed, religion, etc because the marriage certificate serves the purpose of an important document in the banks, government offices etc.
You need to visit revenueassam.nic.in/arundhati/ and fill up an application there. But prior to that, ensure the following:
- The bride has attained 18 years of age and the groom’s age is 21 years.
- The marriage should be registered under the ‘Special Marriage Act-1954’.
- The marriages solemnized on or after December 1, 2019 and registered on or after January 1, 2020 are eligible for availing the benefits under the Scheme.
- The benefits are meant for only the first marriage of a girl.
Barring the Adivasis and the Tea Tribes, both the bride and the groom should pass at least HSLC (High School Leaving Certificate) examination.
