GUWAHATI: Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on 24th September, ceremonially distributed Rs 40,000 to each of the assembled new brides at Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati.
Every bride whose marriage has been registered under the Special Marriage Act 1954, was provided with Rs. 40,000 as one time grant.
Earlier, Sarma wrote on his official Twitter account, "I announced this scheme in my budget with the sole intention of empowering our sisters. Marriage registration can go a long way in securing the future of our sisters in their married life."
Under the Arundhati Gold Scheme, the Assam government had announced 10 gm (1 Tola) gold or the equal amount in money to any bride of families with less than Rs. 5 lakh annual income, who has completed at least 10th standard and has registered her marriage. The total budget of the scheme is Rs 150 crores.
The brides availing the benefits of the Arundhati scheme should have solemnized their marriages on or after 1st December, 2019 and registered on or after January 1st, 2020. The benefits are meant to be provided only for the first marriage of a girl. Also, the bride has to attain 18 years of age and the groom 21 years.
Assam minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also stressed on the importance of registration of marriages and urged everyone to do so despite having traditional rituals and irrespective of religion.