An Assam government scheme to provide financial assistance to brides from economically weaker sections for purchasing gold gets a neat burial
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In 2019, the Assam government introduced the Arundhati Gold Scheme with much fanfare, aiming to provide financial assistance to brides from economically weaker sections for purchasing gold. However, within a short span, the scheme was quietly discontinued, leaving many to wonder about the reasons behind its abrupt end.
Announced during the 2019-20 Budget Speech by the then Assam Finance Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Arundhati Gold Scheme was designed to offer ₹40,000 to brides for purchasing 10 grams of gold. The initiative sought to support parents who, despite financial constraints, wished to gift gold to their daughters—a tradition deeply rooted in Assamese culture.
Eligibility Criteria
To benefit from the scheme, applicants had to meet specific conditions:
- Age: Brides and grooms needed to be at least 18 and 21 years old, respectively.
- Marriage Registration: The union had to be registered under the Special Marriage Act of 1954.
- Parental Income: The bride's parental income should not exceed ₹5 lakh annually.
- Educational Qualifications: Both partners were required to have at least an HSLC or equivalent qualification, with exceptions for the Tea Tribe and Adivasi communities.
- First Marriage: The scheme was applicable only for the bride's first marriage.
The Scheme's Short-Lived Implementation
Despite its noble intentions, the Arundhati Gold Scheme was short-lived. An official from the Sub-Registrar department in the Deputy Commissioner's office, speaking to GPlus, revealed, "The scheme was operational for a brief period before it was discontinued."
One of the primary reasons for the scheme's discontinuation was the unexpectedly low number of applicants. The official noted, "Only about 50 people applied for it, so it had to be discontinued. Only a few received the benefit, and perhaps there wasn't sufficient budget allocated, which is why it was discontinued. Following that, no one even inquired about it."
The official further added, "The scheme's promotion may not have reached the intended beneficiaries effectively, leading to low awareness among eligible families."
He also added, "The requirement for marriage registration under the Special Marriage Act and educational qualifications might have excluded a major portion of the target demographic."
Attempts to obtain official statements from the Directorate of Land Records and the Revenue and Disaster Management Department regarding the discontinuation were met with limited responses. The official notification about the scheme's discontinuation is available on the Directorate's website, but detailed reasons remain undisclosed.
The abrupt cessation of the scheme has led to mixed reactions among the public. Some believe that the initiative, though well-intentioned, was not effectively planned or executed. Others feel that the funds could have been better utilised in other welfare programmes with broader reach and impact.
The Arundhati Gold Scheme's journey underscores the complexities involved in translating policy into practice. While the initiative aimed to uphold cultural traditions and support economically disadvantaged families, its premature discontinuation highlights the need for meticulous planning, community engagement, and adaptability in government welfare programs. The scheme raises several unanswered questions. If the scheme was meant to support families during their daughters' marriages, why was there such little awareness about it? Was the budget truly insufficient, or was the implementation flawed? Did the strict eligibility criteria discourage applications?
And most importantly, if only a handful of people benefited, was the scheme genuinely intended to make an impact, or was it just another policy that failed to take off? With no clear explanation from the authorities, these questions remain—leaving many to wonder if similar welfare schemes in the future will meet the same fate.
