Two years on, applicants yet to get marriage scheme benefits

Under the scheme Rs 25,000 cash and an 8-gram gold coin for the marriage expense of women with Class 12 qualifications would be given. 

While those with degree qualification would be given a gold coin with the same weight, and the cash component would be double that is Rs 50,000.

The father of one of the beneficiaries from Poigai, a village near Vellore, told this reporter that his daughter had applied for this scheme in 2016 to the Anaicut BDO office submitting all the required documents including the marriage invitation.

However, officials asked to ‘give’ Rs 5,000 to process the file and to forward it to the Vellore collectorate for approval.

Another beneficiary from Vellore, who also submitted documents to the Anaicut BDO’s office, was asked to wait and she was yet to get the benefits even after a lapse of two years.

When contacted, officials in Vellore said that he applicants would receive the benefits of the scheme only when funds were released from Chennai.

Officials in Vellore collectorate said, “We are yet to receive funds from Chennai. Hence, the delay.”

When asked about the issue, a top Social Welfare department official in Chennai told DT Next, “We do not have issues in the allocation of funds for the scheme. In the budget for the period 201819, Rs 724 crore was allocated for this scheme, including Rs 200 crore, for the purchase of gold. We are left without a choice; we cannot buy more than 1.10 lakh gold coins annually.

Since the number of beneficiaries is high, it leads to a backlog. However, such beneficiaries are added to the list of the following year.” 

Regarding the two cases from Vellore district, the official said, “Various works have got accumulated due to post-Gaja operations. Funds will soon be released from Chennai this week.”

A senior government official said, “For the past two weeks, we are away from our offices. We are planning to ensure that the backlogs are cleared at the earliest.” He added, “The government is focused on reaching the benefits to the targeted sections at the earliest.”