Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana: Financial Incentive of ₹3,00,000, Check Detailed Info.
Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana: Promoting Social Harmony through Inter-Caste Marriages
Inter-caste marriages have always been a subject of great debate in Indian society. However, recognizing the need to foster social harmony and reduce caste-based discrimination, the government of Maharashtra has introduced the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana. This scheme offers financial assistance to couples who enter into inter-caste marriages, aiming to encourage such unions and promote equality across different social strata.
Understanding Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana
The Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana, also known as the Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme, is a government initiative in Maharashtra designed to promote social integration by encouraging marriages between individuals of different castes. Under this scheme, eligible couples receive a significant financial incentive to support their new life together.
Objectives of the Scheme
The primary objectives of the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana are:
- Eradicating Caste-Based Discrimination: The scheme aims to eliminate the deep-rooted caste-based discrimination prevalent in Indian society. By promoting inter-caste marriages, the government seeks to foster unity and equality among different communities.
- Promoting Social Harmony: Encouraging inter-caste marriages is seen as a vital step toward achieving social harmony. The scheme aims to bridge the gap between different castes and communities, fostering a sense of unity and brotherhood.
- Supporting Inter-Caste Couples: The scheme provides financial assistance to couples who marry outside their caste, helping them overcome any financial difficulties they might face due to their union.
- Improving the Standard of Living: By offering financial incentives, the government hopes to improve the standard of living of couples who marry outside their caste, enabling them to start their married life on a strong footing.
Key Features of Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana
The Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana comes with several key features that make it an attractive option for eligible couples:
- Financial Assistance: Couples who marry under this scheme receive a total financial incentive of ₹3,00,000. This amount is divided into two parts: ₹50,000 is provided by the central government, and ₹2,50,000 is contributed by the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Foundation.
- Eligibility Criteria: To qualify for this scheme, one of the individuals in the marriage must belong to a Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Nomadic Tribe (NT), or De-notified Tribe (DNT). The other partner must be from a Hindu, Jain, Lingayat, or Sikh community.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): The financial assistance is directly transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
- No Income Limit: Unlike many other government schemes, the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana does not impose any income limit on the beneficiaries, making it accessible to a broader range of individuals.
- Simple Application Process: The application process for this scheme is straightforward and user-friendly, ensuring that eligible couples can easily apply for the benefits without any hassle.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana, couples must meet the following criteria:
- Residence: The applicants must be permanent residents of Maharashtra.
- Caste Criteria: One of the partners must belong to a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, Nomadic Tribe, De-notified Tribe, or a Special Backward Class.
- Marriage Registration: The marriage must be registered under either the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, or the Special Marriage Act, 1954.
- Age Requirements: The groom must be at least 21 years old, and the bride must be at least 18 years old at the time of marriage.
- Court Marriage: The couple must have performed a court marriage to be eligible for the scheme.
- Bank Account: The couple must have a joint bank account linked to their Aadhaar cards, as the financial assistance is provided through Direct Benefit Transfer.
Application Process
The application process for the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana is designed to be as simple as possible. Couples can apply for the scheme both online and offline.
- Offline Application:
- Visit the nearest District Social Justice and Special Assistance Department office.
- Obtain the application form for the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana.
- Fill out the form with the required details and attach all necessary documents.
- Submit the completed application form along with the documents at the office.
- Online Application:
- Visit the official website of the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana.
- On the homepage, click on the “Inter-Caste Marriage Scheme” link.
- Fill out the online application form with accurate details.
- Upload the required documents and click on the “Submit” button.
- The application will be processed, and the financial assistance will be credited to the couple’s bank account upon approval.
Documents Required
To apply for the Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana, the following documents are required:
- Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, or Passport.
- Address Proof: Ration Card, Aadhaar Card, or Electricity Bill.
- Caste Certificate: Issued by a competent authority, certifying the caste of the bride or groom.
- Bank Account Details: Joint bank account passbook copy of the couple.
- Marriage Certificate: Court marriage certificate.
- Photographs: Passport-sized photographs of the couple, and a photograph of the marriage ceremony.
- Birth Certificate: Birth certificate or school leaving certificate for both bride and groom.
- Domicile Certificate: Proof of residence in Maharashtra.
- Recommendation Letters: Two recommendation letters from respected individuals.
- Marriage Registration Certificate: Proof of marriage registration under the relevant act.
Benefits of Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana
The Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana offers numerous benefits to eligible couples, making it a valuable initiative for promoting social harmony:
- Financial Support: The scheme provides a substantial financial incentive of ₹3,00,000, which can be used by the couple to start a new life together or invest in a small business.
- Reduction in Caste-Based Discrimination: By promoting inter-caste marriages, the scheme aims to reduce caste-based discrimination, fostering a more inclusive society.
- Social and Economic Upliftment: The financial assistance helps in improving the socio-economic status of the beneficiaries, leading to better living standards.
- Education and Employment Opportunities: The scheme indirectly supports the education and employment of the couple’s future children by improving their economic condition.
In Short
The Antarjatiya Vivah Yojana is a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and egalitarian society. By encouraging inter-caste marriages, the scheme not only helps in reducing caste-based discrimination but also provides financial support to couples, ensuring they can build a strong future together.