GUWAHATI: The Assam Budget is currently underway in Guwahati and this year, the schemes announced in the Budget are broadly focused on the areas of capital expenditure and social security.
In a bid to strengthen social security, the Assam Government has taken the responsibility to provide 1 tola gold, valued at about Rs. 38,000 to brides belonging to various communities of Assam where it is customary to provide gold at the time of the wedding.
While announcing the schemes, State Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, “I feel that this is my solemn responsibility to stand with those fathers who cannot afford to gift a set of gold ornaments to their dearest daughters and at some point of time, have to resort to borrowings and put themselves in a vicious cycle of debt. While other parts of our country may be plagued with the curse of dowry, in our Assamese society, this is a voluntary act of assurance from the parents that no matter where she is, their support is always with her. This constitutes a part of the Stree-dhana.”
It may be noted that it is a customary ritual for communities in the Assamese society to gift a set of gold ornaments to one’s daughter as a blessing as she leaves her father’s home to start a new life for herself and her family.
More details to follow.
Also read: Assam Budget 2019-20 | Free Textbooks and E-bikes announced
